Find out how popular the first name Canon has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Canon by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Canon is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Canon being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 84 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Canon.

The history of the first name Canon

The given name Canon is derived from the Greek word "kanon," which means "rule" or "standard." The name has its origins in ancient Greek culture and can be traced back to the 5th century BC.

Canon was initially used as a term to refer to a set of rules or principles, particularly in the context of literature, art, and music. It later gained significance in the Christian tradition, where it was used to describe the authoritative collection of sacred texts or scriptures.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Canon can be found in the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who employed the term to discuss the principles of logic and reasoning. In the Christian tradition, the term "canon" was adopted to refer to the accepted books of the Bible.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Canon. One of the earliest recorded examples is Canon of Rhodes, a Greek mathematician and engineer who lived in the 3rd century BC and is renowned for his work on the study of conic sections.

Another prominent figure with the name Canon was Canon Hubert Walter (c. 1160-1205), a medieval English nobleman who served as the Lord Chancellor of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of King Richard I and King John.

In the field of music, Canon Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706), a German composer, organist, and teacher, is remembered for his contributions to the Baroque era, particularly his famous Canon in D major.

During the Renaissance period, Canon Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), a Polish astronomer, was renowned for his heliocentric model of the solar system, which challenged the then-prevailing geocentric model and revolutionized our understanding of the universe.

In more recent times, Canon Arthur Machen (1863-1947), a Welsh author and mystic, gained recognition for his works in the genres of horror and supernatural fiction, with his novel "The Great God Pan" being a notable example.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Canon throughout history, each contributing to various fields and leaving a lasting impact on their respective disciplines.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Canon was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Canon, please contact us.

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