Home › Baby Names Directory › Donnivan
Donnivan
Pronounced DON-ih-vuhn /ˈdɒnɪvən/Medium
Meaning: Donnivan is a spelling variant of Donovan, from the Irish surname O Donndubhain, based on donn, 'brown or dark,' and dubh, 'black,' so 'dark, dark-haired one.' The doubled n is stylistic; the meaning follows Donovan.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Donnivan is a spelling variant of Donovan, from the Irish O Donndubhain, 'descendant of the dark one,' built on donn, 'dark,' and dubh, 'black.' Donovan spread as a given name through the twentieth century, and Donnivan simply doubles the n; the meaning stays with the Irish root.
It was always rare, given to only about sixteen boys a year even at its peak in the two-thousands. A boy named Donnivan then is still young today, in his teens or twenties.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Donnivan…
Explore names like Donnivan
Frequently Asked
What does the name Donnivan mean?
It is a respelling of Donovan, from an Irish surname meaning 'dark-haired one.'
How do you pronounce Donnivan?
It is said DON-ih-vuhn /ˈdɒnɪvən/, three syllables with the stress on the first.
Is Donnivan a boy or girl name?
Donnivan is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Donnivan?
It was always rare in the United States, given to only about sixteen boys a year at its peak in the two-thousands.