Cannon

Pronunciation: [ k-AN-uhn ]

Boy Name #766 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A thunderous surname name with serious power

American English

Bold Strong Modern Unique

Meaning & Origin

"large gun, artillery piece"

Origin: Old French

Language: English

"church official, rule of law"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

The Story of Cannon

Cannon as a given name comes from two sources: the Middle English 'canon' (a church official, from Latin canonicus) and the weapon 'cannon' (from Old French canon, Italian cannone, meaning 'large tube'). As a surname-to-first-name transfer, it gained traction in the American South and Midwest, where powerful, equipment-related names carry a bold, no-nonsense appeal.

Cannon took off as a first name in the 2000s–2010s, riding the wave of powerful word and surname names like Hunter, Gauge, and Remington. It also benefits from the ubiquity of Nick Cannon in pop culture, though most parents use it for its strong sound, not the celebrity association.

In American naming culture, weapon and equipment names like Cannon, Remington, and Gauge have found a following in rural and Southern communities as expressions of strength and heritage. Cannon also appears as a respected surname throughout British history.

Fun Facts

The camera brand Canon was named after Kannon, the Buddhist deity of mercy, not the weapon
Nick Cannon is perhaps the most famous bearer of Cannon as a surname-to-first-name, having named one of his sons Cannon himself

Cannon in Other Languages

French Canon

Italian Cannone

Spanish Cañón

Famous People Named Cannon

Nick Cannon

Entertainer

1980

American comedian, rapper, and television host known for Wild 'N Out and America's Got Talent

Cannon Hinnant

Other

A name that became widely known in 2020 after a tragic incident, raising awareness of his name nationally

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #766
Total SSA Count: 331
Cultural Origins: American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Can

Pairs Well With

Cannon James Cannon Lee Cannon Dale Cannon Ray Cannon Scott Cannon Wayne Cannon Blake

Sibling Names

Hunter Maverick Gauge Remington Ryder Blaze Sawyer

Also a Girl Name

Cannon is also used as a girl name, ranked #27417.

View Cannon as a girl name →

Similar Names

Shannon Channing Kenyon Gannon Canon Canyon Kannon Kanon

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cannon

What does the name Cannon mean?

"large gun, artillery piece" (from Old French). "church official, rule of law" (from Latin). Cannon as a given name comes from two sources: the Middle English 'canon' (a church official, from Latin canonicus) and the weapon 'cannon' (from Old French canon, Italian cannone, meaning 'large tube'). As a surname-to-first-name transfer, it gained traction in the American South and Midwest, where powerful, equipment-related names carry a bold, no-nonsense appeal.

What is the origin of the name Cannon?

Cannon has Old French, Latin, American, and English origins. In Old French, it means "large gun, artillery piece". In Latin, it means "church official, rule of law".

Is Cannon a boy or girl name?

Cannon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #766. As a girl name, it is ranked #27417. Cannon is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Cannon?

Cannon is pronounced k-AN-uhn.

How popular is the name Cannon?

Cannon is currently ranked #766 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Cannon?

Common nicknames for Cannon include Can.

What are good middle names for Cannon?

Popular middle name pairings include Cannon James, Cannon Lee, Cannon Dale, Cannon Ray, Cannon Scott, Cannon Wayne, and Cannon Blake.

What are good sibling names for Cannon?

Names that pair well with Cannon as siblings include Hunter, Maverick, Gauge, Remington, Ryder, Blaze, and Sawyer.

How many syllables does Cannon have?

Cannon has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Cannon a common or rare name?

Cannon is moderately common, ranked #766 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Cannon

Cannon is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "large gun, artillery piece" in Old French .

Is Cannon a boy or girl name? Cannon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #766 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #27,417. Cannon is more commonly used as a boy name.

Cannon is currently ranked #766 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Cannon has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AN-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Cannon include Can. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.