Find out how popular the first name Connor has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Connor by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Connor is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Connor being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,855 male babies and 23 female babies born with the name Connor.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 23 baby girls were named Connor in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Connor

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.

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 Connor was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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