The nameConnor

Connor is the anglicised form of the Irish Conchobhar, a name of legendary kings. It was very popular in Britain and the United States around 2000.

Meaning

Connor comes from the Irish Conchobhar, usually explained as "lover of hounds", from cu, "hound", and cobhar, "desiring".

Origin

Irish. Conchobar mac Nessa is the king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish myths.

History

In England and Wales Connor was 13th in 1996 and reached 11th place in 1998. In the United States it was in the top 100 from 1992 to 2021. John Connor, hero of the Terminator films, made it widely known.

Famous people named Connor

Popularity of the name Connor

Connor in the United States

136thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2004peak year (10,116 births)
234,024babies named Connor in the United States since 1880
05,05810,116 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Connor was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 86,356 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Connor. Its rise began around 1990, and it peaked in 2004. Half of all babies named Connor in the United States were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 3,389 births a year on average, against 6,319 in the five years before.

Connor in the United Kingdom

257thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
1998peak year (5,842 births)
56,557babies named Connor in the United Kingdom since 1997
02,9215,842 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Connor was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 28,164 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Connor. Half of all babies named Connor in the United Kingdom were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 273 births a year on average, against 597 in the five years before.

Connor in Ireland

966thmost popular boys' name in Ireland in 2025
2003peak year (80 births)
1,681babies named Connor in Ireland since 1964
04080 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Sibling names for Connor

Names from the same generation as Connor, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Connor? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Connor with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Connor side by side with the name of your choice.

Connor in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Connor mean?

Connor comes from the Irish Conchobhar, usually explained as "lover of hounds", from cu, "hound", and cobhar, "desiring".

What is the origin of the name Connor?

Irish. Conchobar mac Nessa is the king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish myths.

Is Connor a girl's or a boy's name?

Connor is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Connor?

In 2024, Connor was the 136th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 2,606 births.

What are good sibling names for Connor?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Allison, Savannah, Abigail and Natalie for a sister, Oscar, Ryan, Donovan and Nathaniel for a brother.

Who are famous people named Connor?

Connor McDavid, ice hockey player; Connor Swindells, actor.