What Does the Name Connor Mean?
Connor descends from the Old Irish Conchobhar, a compound generally traced to 'cú' (hound or wolf) combined with an element suggesting love or desire, giving the popular gloss 'lover of hounds.' Some scholars instead connect the second element to 'high will' or 'desire,' but the hound association is the one most naming references repeat.
The Origin & History of Connor
Conchobhar was a name borne by legendary Irish kings, most famously Conchobar mac Nessa, a central figure of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. The name was Anglicized over centuries into forms including Conor, Connor, and Conner as Irish families adapted their names to English spelling conventions, especially after waves of Irish emigration to Britain and North America.
Popularity in the United States
Connor entered the US top 100 in the 1990s and became a top-20 boys' name through much of the 2000s, part of a broader surge of Irish-heritage names (alongside Aidan, Liam, and Ryan) as Irish-American identity became a fashionable naming influence.
Personality & Associations
Connor carries an athletic, energetic feel — helped by its Irish warrior roots and its prevalence among a generation of millennial and Gen Z athletes and public figures. It reads as friendly and grounded rather than formal.
Famous People Named Connor
Connor McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers and widely regarded as one of the best hockey players of his generation, is among the name's most recognizable modern bearers.
Nicknames & Variations
Conor is the traditional Irish spelling; Conner and Konnor are common Anglicized variants. Con is the usual short form.