Donovan vs Kava

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Donovan

Boy #505 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"dark warrior"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#505
Total SSA Count
603
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Don, Van, Donnie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Donovan →

Kava

Girl #62,602 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bitter"

Origin: Polynesian

Cultural Roots

Fijian Tongan Samoan Polynesian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#62,602
Total SSA Count
5
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kay

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kava →

Popularity Comparison

Donovan Rank #505
Kava Rank #62,602

Donovan is more popular, ranked #505 vs #62602 for Kava.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Donovan ___

  • Donovan James
  • Donovan Patrick
  • Donovan Michael
  • Donovan Ryan
  • Donovan Sean
  • Donovan Thomas

Kava ___

  • Kava Mele
  • Kava Rose
  • Kava Sina
  • Kava Lei
  • Kava Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Donovan

Sullivan Declan Finnegan Maeve Siobhan

If you choose Kava

Moana Tala Sione Vai

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Donovan or Kava more popular?

Donovan is more popular, ranked #505 compared to Kava at #62602 in the United States.

What do Donovan and Kava mean?

Donovan means "dark warrior" (Irish Gaelic origin). Kava means "bitter" (Polynesian origin).

Are Donovan and Kava boy or girl names?

Donovan is primarily a boy name. Kava is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Donovan ← Full profile: Kava Browse all baby names