"lover of hounds"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Connor
Pronunciation: [ k-AHN-er ]
Does Connor flow with your last name?
A proud Ulster king's name meaning lover of hounds
Irish
Scottish
English
American
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"strong-willed, wise"
Origin: Irish
Language: English
"lover of hounds, wolf lover"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
"hound lover, dog enthusiast"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Connor
Connor is an Anglicization of the Irish Conchobhar, composed of 'con' (hound, wolf) and 'cobhar' (lover, desirer). Thus it means lover of hounds or hound-lover — in Celtic culture, dogs and wolves were symbols of loyalty, strength, and hunting prowess, making this a name of honor rather than insult. High King Conchobar mac Nessa of Ulster, the king during the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, is the most famous historical bearer.
Connor became widely popular in English-speaking countries in the 1990s-2000s as part of the broad wave of Irish names. It has been a top-50 US boy name for over two decades. Its two-syllable simplicity, strong consonants, and authentic Irish heritage make it one of the most successfully transplanted Irish names.
In Irish mythology, Conchobar (Connor) was the legendary King of Ulster, the realm from which the great hero Cú Chulainn fought. The name carries the weight of this heroic tradition. In modern Ireland, both spellings (Connor and Conor) are common.
Historical Record
Connor first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 232,171 babies have been named Connor in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Connor is past its peak , currently ranked #136 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Conchobar mac Nessa was the legendary High King of Ulster in Irish mythology, ruler during the time of Cú Chulainn
- Connor/Conor has been in the US top 50 boys' names every year since 1993
Connor in Other Languages
Irish
Conchobhar
English
Connor
Spanish
Connor
Scottish Gaelic
Conchobhar
Popularity Over Time
#136
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2004
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Connor
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Connor McDavid
Athlete
1997
Canadian ice hockey player and captain of the Edmonton Oilers, considered one of the greatest of his generation
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Conor McGregor
Athlete
1988
Irish mixed martial artist and boxer, the first UFC fighter to hold two division titles simultaneously
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Connor (Terminator) Fictional
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John Connor, the human resistance leader in the Terminator film franchise
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #136
- Total SSA Count
- 2,606
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Con
Connie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Connor
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Connor is also used as a girl name, ranked #5608.
View Connor as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Connor →Compare Connor with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
See all Irish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Connor
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Frequently Asked Questions About Connor
What does the name Connor mean?
"lover of hounds" (from Irish Gaelic). "strong-willed, wise" (from Irish). "lover of hounds, wolf lover" (from Old Irish). "hound lover, dog enthusiast" (from Old Irish). Connor is an Anglicization of the Irish Conchobhar, composed of 'con' (hound, wolf) and 'cobhar' (lover, desirer). Thus it means lover of hounds or hound-lover — in Celtic culture, dogs and wolves were symbols of loyalty, strength, and hunting prowess, making this a name of honor rather than insult. High King Conchobar mac Nessa of Ulster, the king during the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, is the most famous historical bearer.
What is the origin of the name Connor?
Connor has Irish Gaelic, Irish, Old Irish, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "lover of hounds". In Irish, it means "strong-willed, wise". In Old Irish, it means "lover of hounds, wolf lover". In Old Irish, it means "hound lover, dog enthusiast".
Is Connor a boy or girl name?
Connor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #136. As a girl name, it is ranked #5608. Connor is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Connor?
Connor is pronounced k-AHN-er.
How popular is the name Connor?
Connor is currently ranked #136 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Connor?
Common nicknames for Connor include Con and Connie.
What are good middle names for Connor?
Popular middle name pairings include Connor James, Connor Patrick, Connor Michael, Connor Ryan, Connor Thomas, Connor Sean, and Connor Owen.
What are good sibling names for Connor?
Names that pair well with Connor as siblings include Finn, Liam, Declan, Siobhan, Aoife, and Niamh.
How many syllables does Connor have?
Connor has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Connor a common or rare name?
Connor is a popular name, ranked #136 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Connor?
About the Name Connor
Connor is a boy name with Irish, Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "lover of hounds" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Connor a boy or girl name? Connor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #136 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,608. Connor is more commonly used as a boy name.
Connor is currently ranked #136 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Connor has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AHN-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Connor include Con and Connie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Connor include Conner, Connell . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis