Donovan as a baby name

[ThatPeachSquid]

I’m having a baby boy in October and wondering what people think of the name
Donovan? My dad’s side is originally Irish so
it links nicely to that. Thought Donnie and Don would be nice nicknames. We were looking for a nice solid name that’s unique but not too try hard

I love it, and if I had another child (which isn’t going to he happen), it would be on my list.

I quite like it!

I like it but honestly it would make me think of the singer, so depends if you mind that!

I've never heard it used as a first name in Ireland, only a surname so for me, it would be a no.

How about Donnacha or Donal?

I just think of Jason, sorry.

I know a Donovan in his teens, lovely lad. Go for it.

Like it!

There was a British singer called Donovan who had hits in the 60s.

Me too,maybe it’s an age thing 😂

Jason

I'm glad I'm not the only person whose mind went there instead of Jason! 🤣

Irish surnames as first names are a bit tacky and American 🙈 sorry op

It's dire. 60's hippie pop star.

This is my friend's youngest son's name.
He is called Donny for short.

We were thinking he’d go by Donnie/Donny

It's not as bad as Cassidy, Rafferty, Casey, Lennon, McKenzie or Meredith, but they get some love on here, while others think they're dreadful.

I'm in the 'dreadful' group. They are fine as surnames.

I also think of the dinger Donovan, and I gather that he's a bit of an arse. I don't think that this is a connection that would be made only by the older generation either- even my parents are too young to remember Donovan when he was in his prime!

I like some surname names but I’m not keen on Donovan / Donny - it could grow on me though.

Donovan isn’t a surname to me, but a first name name in its it own right. I also thought of the singer Donovan, rather than Jason D, who came along a lot later.

Really dated and shortened to Don isn’t a good look at the moment

Absolutely hideous.

I'm not a fan. I went to school with a couple of Donovans in the 90s, one in the year above me and one in the year below. They were not nice people (rough, mouth like a sewer, enjoyed bullying and intimidating people, you get the gist). They'd both be late 30s now but I definitely don't have good associations with the name.

I also don't think Donny or Don are particularly nice nicknames. Each to their own though.

Wasn’t the hard bloke/bully in the inbetweeners called Donovan (as a surname but that’s what he was known as)? That’s what I think of and can’t imagine naming a baby after him 😂

I think it’s lovely. Am old enough to know both singers but neither were my first thought!
Your nicknames also sound lovely ☺️

I'm old enough to remember the singer, so yes. Donovan sounds good to me