The name Konner is a variant spelling of the English name Connor, which is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Conchobhar. Conchobhar is composed of the elements "con" meaning hound, and "chobhar" meaning desire. The name ultimately means "lover of hounds" or "wolf-lover."

The name Conchobhar has been in use in Ireland since ancient times, with one of the earliest recorded examples being Conchobhar mac Nessa, a legendary king of Ulster from Irish mythology who reigned in the 1st century AD. Conchobhar was a prominent figure in the epic Ulster Cycle of Irish literature.

In the early medieval period, the name Conchobhar was borne by several Irish kings and princes, including Conchobhar mac Taidg Móir (died 882), King of Connacht, and Conchobhar Ua Briain (died 1014), King of Munster. The name remained popular among Irish nobility throughout the Middle Ages.

As the name spread beyond Ireland, it evolved into various anglicized spellings such as Connor, Conor, and Conner. One notable bearer of the name Conner was Conner Mara (1548-1630), an Irish soldier and adventurer who fought for the Spanish against the English in Ireland during the Nine Years' War.

In the 19th century, the American writer James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) used the name Connor for one of the main characters in his novel "The Last of the Mohicans," which may have contributed to the name's popularity in the United States.

Other notable individuals named Connor or Conner throughout history include Conner Rousseau (born 1992), a Belgian politician and leader of the Flemish social-liberal party; Conner Prairie, an outdoor museum in Indiana, USA; Connor McDavid (born 1997), a Canadian professional ice hockey player; Connor Franta (born 1992), an American YouTuber and author; and Connor Cruise (born 1995), an American actor and the son of actors Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.