"lover of hounds, hound-desiring"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Conor
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An ancient Irish king name worn by modern champions
Irish
Scottish
English
American
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Earthy
Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"wolf lover"
Origin: Proto-Celtic
Language: Irish
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The Story of Conor
Conor (also spelled Connor or Conner) is an Anglicization of the Old Irish Conchobar, composed of con meaning hound or wolf and cobhar meaning desiring, suggesting the meaning lover of hounds or much-desiring. In Irish mythology, Conchobar mac Nessa was the legendary King of Ulster whose story is central to the Ulster Cycle, the greatest body of Irish heroic literature. The name has been in continuous use in Ireland for over a thousand years.
Conor and its variants (Connor, Conner) have been among the most popular Irish names globally since the 1990s, riding a wave of Celtic name popularity. Conor McGregor's global fame from the 2010s brought new attention to this specific Irish spelling. In Ireland itself, Conor is perennially in the top 20.
The name is rooted in the heroic Ulster Cycle where Conchobar was the legendary king who raised the hero Cu Chulainn. The name represents the highest traditions of Irish heroic culture. It is one of the oldest continuously used Irish names, representing authentic Gaelic heritage without being inaccessible to English speakers.
Historical Record
Conor first appeared in US Social Security records in 1961.
Over 27,087 babies have been named Conor in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Conor is past its peak , currently ranked #709 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Conchobar mac Nessa was the legendary King of Ulster in the Irish mythological Ulster Cycle
- Conor McGregor became the first UFC fighter to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously in 2016
- The name has been used in Ireland since at least the 10th century, making it over 1,000 years old in documented use
Conor in Other Languages
Irish
Conchobar
French
Conor
English
Connor
Spanish
Conor
Scottish Gaelic
Conchobhar
Popularity Over Time
#709
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1993
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Conor
C
Conor McGregor
Athlete
1988
Irish mixed martial artist and former UFC double champion, one of the biggest sports stars of the 2010s
C
Conor Oberst
Musician
1980
American singer-songwriter and founder of Bright Eyes, known as a voice of indie folk music
C
Conchobar mac Nessa Fictional
Other
Legendary King of Ulster in Irish mythology, foster-father of the hero Cu Chulainn
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #709
- Total SSA Count
- 376
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Con
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Conor
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Conor is also used as a girl name, ranked #31677.
View Conor as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Conor
What does the name Conor mean?
"lover of hounds, hound-desiring" (from Old Irish). "wolf lover" (from Proto-Celtic). Conor (also spelled Connor or Conner) is an Anglicization of the Old Irish Conchobar, composed of con meaning hound or wolf and cobhar meaning desiring, suggesting the meaning lover of hounds or much-desiring. In Irish mythology, Conchobar mac Nessa was the legendary King of Ulster whose story is central to the Ulster Cycle, the greatest body of Irish heroic literature. The name has been in continuous use in Ireland for over a thousand years.
What is the origin of the name Conor?
Conor has Old Irish, Proto-Celtic, Irish, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Old Irish, it means "lover of hounds, hound-desiring". In Proto-Celtic, it means "wolf lover".
Is Conor a boy or girl name?
Conor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #709. As a girl name, it is ranked #31677. Conor is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Conor?
Conor is currently ranked #709 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Conor?
Common nicknames for Conor include Con.
What are good middle names for Conor?
Popular middle name pairings include Conor James, Conor Patrick, Conor Michael, Conor Sean, Conor Finn, Conor Daniel, and Conor Joseph.
What are good sibling names for Conor?
Names that pair well with Conor as siblings include Declan, Ronan, Aoife, Saoirse, Fionn, Ciara, and Niamh.
How many syllables does Conor have?
Conor has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Conor a common or rare name?
Conor is moderately common, ranked #709 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Conor
Conor is a boy name with Irish, Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "lover of hounds, hound-desiring" in Old Irish .
Is Conor a boy or girl name? Conor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #709 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #31,677. Conor is more commonly used as a boy name.
Conor is currently ranked #709 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Conor has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Conor include Con. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis