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Boy name · Irish Gaelic

Connor

Name meaning, origin and popularity

: lover of hounds

Connor is a boy's name that comes from Irish Gaelic and means "lover of hounds". It is used in English and Irish.

Meaning
Lover of hounds
Origin
Irish Gaelic
Gender
Boy
US rank
#166 in 2025

Meaning and origin of Connor

As a boy's name, Connor comes from Irish Gaelic and means "lover of hounds". It is used in English and Irish.

Connor is also a surname: the 1,218th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 28,409 people. See the most common last names.

Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names

How popular is Connor?

US rank in 2025
#166
2,211 babies, 1,294 per million boys
Best rank
#38 in 2004
10,049 babies that year
Babies since 1913
At least 234,546
Years with under 5 are not listed
1880s1900s1920s1940s1960s1980s2000s2020s
Babies per million US boys, by decade (the 2020s so far, to 2025). Highest in the 2000s, at 4,308 per million.
Babies named Connor per million US boys, by decade; highest in the 2000s
1880s0 per million
1890s0 per million
1900s0 per million
1910s5 per million
1920s4 per million
1930s2 per million
1940s3 per million
1950s2 per million
1960s4 per million
1970s14 per million
1980s180 per million
1990s2,946 per million
2000s4,308 per million
2010s3,631 per million
2020s1,841 per million
US rank by year
Year2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Rank#54#56#58#68#78#98#118#126#136#166

Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.

Other forms of Connor

The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.

  • ConorLover of hounds (Irish Gaelic, boy)

Names spelled like Connor

One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.

  • ConnlaHound warrior (Irish Gaelic, boy)

Names with a similar meaning

  • FilipLover of horses (Greek, boy)
  • LennonLover, sweetheart (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
  • FelipaLover of horses (Greek, girl)
  • FelipeLover of horses (Greek, boy)
  • FilibLover of horses (Greek, boy)
  • FilipaLover of horses (Greek, girl)
  • FilipeLover of horses (Greek, boy)
  • FilippLover of horses (Greek, boy)
  • FilippaLover of horses (Greek, girl)
  • FilippoLover of horses (Greek, boy)
  • FilipposLover of horses (Greek, boy)
  • Jean-PhilippeGod is gracious, plus lover of horses (Hebrew and Greek, boy)
  • Juan FelipeGod is gracious, lover of horses (Hebrew and Greek, boy)
  • LippoLover of horses (Greek, boy)
  • Louis-PhilippeFamous warrior, plus lover of horses (Germanic and Greek, boy)

Middle names for Connor

Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.

  • DeanFrom a surname meaning valley (Old English, boy)
  • EltonElla's town (Old English, boy)
  • FinnFair, white (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • IsaacHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
  • LouisFamous warrior (Germanic, boy)
  • LukeMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
  • MarkOf Mars (Latin, boy)
  • ScottFrom Scotland (English, boy)

More boy names from Irish Gaelic

  • OscarPossibly deer friend (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • FergusMan of vigor (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • KevinGentle birth (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • RonanLittle seal (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • RoryRed king (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • AidanLittle fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • AidenLittle fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • AodhFire, flame (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • AydenVariant of Aidan, little fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • BarryFair-haired (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • BrendanA prince (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • CaseyVigilant, watchful (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
  • CassidyCurly-haired (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
  • CodyDescendant of the helpful one (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • ConanLittle hound or little wolf (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • DeclanMeaning unknown, though likely begins with Old Irish dag, good (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • DesmondFrom South Munster (Irish Gaelic, boy)
  • DonalWorld ruler (Irish Gaelic, boy)

Connor: common questions

What does the name Connor mean?

Connor comes from Irish Gaelic and means "lover of hounds".

Is Connor a boy or girl name?

Connor is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 14 girls and 2,211 boys in the US were named Connor, according to Social Security Administration data.

Where does the name Connor come from?

Connor comes from Irish Gaelic and means "lover of hounds". Today it is used in English and Irish.

How popular is the name Connor?

Connor ranked #166 in the US in 2025, with 2,211 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

What are other forms of Connor?

Forms of Connor with the same meaning and origin include Conor (Irish).

What middle names go with Connor?

Middle names that flow well with Connor include Dean, Elton, Finn, Isaac and Louis. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.