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