"large gun, artillery piece"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Cannon
Pronunciation: [ k-AN-uhn ]
Does Cannon flow with your last name?
A thunderous surname name with serious power
American
English
Bold
Strong
Modern
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"church official, rule of law"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Cannon first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 10,549 babies have been named Cannon in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cannon is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #766 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#766
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cannon
N
Nick Cannon
Entertainer
1980
American comedian, rapper, and television host known for Wild 'N Out and America's Got Talent
C
Cannon Hinnant
Other
A name that became widely known in 2020 after a tragic incident, raising awareness of his name nationally
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Compare Cannon with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cannon
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Cannon is also used as a girl name, ranked #27417.
View Cannon as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
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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