The name Connor has its origins in the Irish language, derived from the Gaelic "Conchobhar" or "Conchúr." This name dates back to ancient Celtic times and is composed of two elements: "con" meaning hound or wolf, and "cobhar" meaning desire or desire for victory. The name can be interpreted as "hound of desire" or "lover of wolves."

In Irish mythology, Conchobhar mac Nessa was a legendary king of Ulster in the 1st century AD, known for his role in the epic tale of the Táin Bó Cuailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). This ancient text features prominently in the Irish literary tradition and has helped to keep the name Connor alive throughout the centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Connor dates back to the 7th century AD, when a Conchobhar mac Nessa was mentioned in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. Over the centuries, the name has been spelled in various ways, including Conchobhar, Conchúr, Conchobar, and Conor, before eventually settling on the modern English spelling of Connor.

Notable historical figures who bore the name Connor include Connor O'Brien (c. 1532-1583), an Irish prince and military leader who fought against English forces during the Tudor conquest of Ireland. Another prominent figure was Connor Maguire (c. 1616-1645), an Irish nobleman and soldier who played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars of the 1640s.

In more recent times, the name Connor has been carried by individuals such as Connor Cruise (born 1995), the son of actors Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, and Connor McDavid (born 1997), a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Edmonton Oilers.

Other notable individuals named Connor throughout history include Connor O'Leary (c. 1786-1828), an Irish rebel and leader during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and Connor Randall (born 1995), an English professional footballer who currently plays for Hartlepool United.