Conor
BoyIrish· “lover of hounds”
- Meaning
- lover of hounds
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KAH-nur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #845
- US babies 2025
- 292
- Best rank
- #232 (1993)
- Peak year
- 1993
Meaning and origin of Conor
Conor is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “lover of hounds”.
Conor is the traditional Irish spelling of a name from the Gaelic Conchobar, usually interpreted as lover of hounds or lover of wolves. In Irish legend, Conchobar mac Nessa was a king of Ulster at the center of the Ulster Cycle, the tales of the hero Cú Chulainn. The name has been used in Ireland for centuries and became popular throughout the English-speaking world in recent decades, with Connor becoming the more common spelling in America. Conor feels friendly and grounded. Con is a simple nickname, and it pairs well with classic middle names.
Popularity over time
Conor first appears in US Social Security records in 1961. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 49 different years, starting in 1977. Its best national rank was #232 in 1993, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,250 babies. In 2025, 292 babies were named Conor, and it ranked #845 nationally. That is 54% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #620 in 1980, #365 in 2000, #529 in 2010, and #845 in 2025. Of the 27,380 US boys named Conor since records began, 30% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 6,939 babies. Since 2010, 9,960 more have been named Conor.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jamal, Devonte, Kody, Forrest, and Branden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Conor ranked highest in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #234 | 26 |
| Connecticut | #270 | 12 |
| New York | #435 | 39 |
| New Jersey | #453 | 17 |
| North Carolina | #598 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Conor is usually pronounced KAH-nur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-or”.
Middle names for Conor
A few middle names that flow with Conor: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Conor
Similar names
Lists that include Conor
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Conor mean?
Conor is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “lover of hounds”.
What is the origin of the name Conor?
Conor has Irish roots. Conor is the traditional Irish spelling of a name from the Gaelic Conchobar, usually interpreted as lover of hounds or lover of wolves.
Is Conor a popular name?
Yes. Conor ranked #845 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Conor a boy or girl name?
Conor is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Conor?
Conor 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