| Donovan | Rowan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | dark brown-haired | Little red one; rowan tree |
| Origin | irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | DON-oh-vuhn | ROH-un |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1900 | 1916 |
| Peak year | 2003 (2,211) | 2025 (5,212) |
| In 2025 | 609 | 5,212 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Donovan | Rowan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 4,115 | 24,763 |
| 2010s | 12,289 | 19,019 |
| 2000s | 19,329 | 5,491 |
| 1990s | 12,239 | 709 |
| 1980s | 4,553 | 182 |
| 1970s | 3,750 | 78 |
| 1960s | 1,813 | 71 |
| 1950s | 876 | 77 |
| 1940s | 717 | 76 |
| 1930s | 866 | 72 |
| 1920s | 719 | 72 |
| 1910s | 335 | 18 |
| 1900s | 83 | 0 |
Anglicized from Irish O Donndubhain, from 'donn' meaning 'brown' and 'dubh' meaning 'black, dark' — commonly rendered 'dark brown-haired' or 'dark-haired chieftain'.
Rowan has two roots that meet in the name: the Irish Ruadhán, “little red one,” and the English name of the rowan tree with its red berries.
Rowan is more popular than Donovan today: about 5,212 US babies were given the name Rowan in 2025, compared with 609 named Donovan.
Donovan means dark brown-haired (irish origin), while Rowan means Little red one; rowan tree (Irish origin).
In US records, Donovan first appears in 1900 and Rowan in 1916, so Donovan has the longer recorded history.