Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Connor
BoyIrish· “lover of hounds”
- Meaning
- lover of hounds
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KAH-nur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #166
- US babies 2025
- 2,211
- Best rank
- #38 (2004)
- Peak year
- 2004
Meaning and origin of Connor
Connor is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “lover of hounds”.
Connor is an anglicized form of the Irish Conchobhar, usually interpreted as "lover of hounds" or "wolf lover", from con, "hound" or "wolf", and cobhar, "desiring". In the Ulster Cycle of Irish legend, Conchobar mac Nessa is the king of Ulster whose court includes the hero Cú Chulainn. The name was also borne by medieval Irish kings, and the surname O'Connor comes from it. Connor spread beyond Ireland in the late twentieth century and became popular in Britain, North America and Australia. It sounds friendly and strong. Conor is the traditional Irish spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Conner, Konner.
Popularity over time
Connor first appears in US Social Security records in 1913. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 45 different years, starting in 1981. Its best national rank was #38 in 2004, the same year it reached its highest count of 10,049 babies. In 2025, 2,211 babies were named Connor, and it ranked #166 nationally. That is 67% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,807 in 1920, #3,388 in 1950, #1,031 in 1980, #50 in 2000, #49 in 2010, and #166 in 2025. Of the 234,546 US boys named Connor since records began, 37% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 68,270 babies. Since 2010, 87,344 more have been named Connor.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Aidan, Juan, Ian, Jesus, and Nathan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Connor ranked highest in Connecticut, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #50 | 63 |
| District of Columbia | #50 | 15 |
| Massachusetts | #61 | 102 |
| New Hampshire | #61 | 23 |
| New Jersey | #90 | 108 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Connor is usually pronounced KAH-nur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-or”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Conner and Konner.
Middle names for Connor
A few middle names that flow with Connor: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Connor
Similar names
Conor Boy
KAH-nur
“lover of hounds” · Irish
#845
Oscar Boy
AWS-kur
“possibly deer friend” · Irish
#223
Kian Boy
KEE-uhn
“ancient, enduring” · Irish
#401
Victor Boy
VIHK-tur
“conqueror” · Latin
#211
Trevor Boy
TREV-ur
“large homestead” · Welsh
#680
Hector Boy
HEK-ter
“holding fast” · Greek
#409
Cormac Boy
KOR-mak
“uncertain; possibly 'charioteer'” · Irish
#1,298
Angus Boy
ANG-guhs
“one strength” · Scottish
#2,363
Brayden Boy
BRAY-duhn
“modern form of Braden; salmon” · Irish
#229
Ayden Boy
AY-dihn
“little fire” · American (modern coinage)
#257
Kayden Boy
KAY-dihn
“modern coinage related to Caden” · American (modern coinage)
#135
Tristan Boy
TRIS-tihn
“uncertain; from Celtic Drust” · French
#309
Lists that include Connor
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Connor mean?
Connor is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “lover of hounds”.
What is the origin of the name Connor?
Connor has Irish roots. Connor is an anglicized form of the Irish Conchobhar, usually interpreted as "lover of hounds" or "wolf lover", from con, "hound" or "wolf", and cobhar, "desiring".
Is Connor a popular name?
Yes. Connor ranked #166 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Connor a boy or girl name?
Connor is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Connor?
Connor is usually pronounced KAH-nur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings