B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Type 4500
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
During departure; we experienced some minor wake turbulence from a departing heavy aircraft.  While hand flying; I deviated 10 degrees right while navigating to the BONLE fix; but I didn't notify ATC as we were VFR.  When we asked for right turn direct to the next fix; we were queried if we were proceeding direct to BONLE fix.  We replied 'yes; but request direct JBNCH'.  The Controller; clearly confused of our current heading just gave us his own heading; and then cleared us to JBNCH less than a minute later.  No other conflict or deviation occurred.
B737NG Captain reported a track deviation occurred departing CVG when he turned off course to avoid wake turbulence.