"little wolf, little hound"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Conan
Pronunciation: [ k-OHN-uhn ]
Does Conan flow with your last name?
An ancient Celtic warrior name built for adventure
Irish
Celtic
American
Strong
Bold
Classic
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"high, exalted"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
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The Story of Conan
Conan is an ancient Irish name derived from the Old Irish 'conn' meaning hound or wolf, with the diminutive suffix -an. It was borne by several figures in Irish mythology and history, including Conan Maol, a warrior of the Fianna in the Fenian cycle. The name spread through the Celtic world and was used by early Breton saints.
Conan gained global recognition largely through Robert E. Howard's 1932 creation Conan the Barbarian, a fantasy hero later immortalized on screen by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Television host Conan O'Brien further kept the name visible in American pop culture from the 1990s onward.
In Ireland, Conan is part of the rich tradition of warrior names from the mythological Fenian Cycle. It carries connotations of strength and bravery from its association with the Fianna, legendary bands of Irish warriors.
Historical Record
Conan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,319 babies have been named Conan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Conan is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,017 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Conan Maol appears in dozens of Irish mythological tales as a Fenian warrior
- Robert E. Howard invented Conan the Barbarian in 1932 for Weird Tales magazine
- Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, bore Conan as a middle name
Conan in Other Languages
Irish
Conán
Latin
Conanus
Welsh
Cynan
Breton
Conan
Popularity Over Time
#2,017
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Conan
C
Conan O'Brien
Entertainer
1963
American comedian and television host known for multiple late-night talk shows
A
C
Conan the Barbarian Fictional
Other
Fictional Cimmerian warrior hero created by Robert E. Howard in 1932, star of fantasy novels and films
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,017
- Total SSA Count
- 76
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Celtic American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Con
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Irish 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
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Conan
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Conan
What does the name Conan mean?
"little wolf, little hound" (from Irish Gaelic). "high, exalted" (from Old Irish). Conan is an ancient Irish name derived from the Old Irish 'conn' meaning hound or wolf, with the diminutive suffix -an. It was borne by several figures in Irish mythology and history, including Conan Maol, a warrior of the Fianna in the Fenian cycle. The name spread through the Celtic world and was used by early Breton saints.
What is the origin of the name Conan?
Conan has Irish Gaelic, Old Irish, Irish, Celtic, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "little wolf, little hound". In Old Irish, it means "high, exalted".
Is Conan a boy or girl name?
Conan is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Conan?
Conan is pronounced k-OHN-uhn.
How popular is the name Conan?
Conan is currently ranked #2017 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Conan?
Common nicknames for Conan include Con.
What are good middle names for Conan?
Popular middle name pairings include Conan James, Conan Patrick, Conan Michael, Conan Thomas, Conan Sean, and Conan Finn.
What are good sibling names for Conan?
Names that pair well with Conan as siblings include Ronan, Declan, Finn, Aoife, Siobhan, and Niamh.
How many syllables does Conan have?
Conan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Conan a common or rare name?
Conan is an uncommon name, ranked #2017 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Conan?
Are there other spellings for Conan?
Related spellings include Conall.
About the Name Conan
Conan is a boy name with Irish, Celtic, and American origins . The name means "little wolf, little hound" in Irish Gaelic .
Conan is currently ranked #2,017 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Conan has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-OHN-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Conan include Con. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Conan include Conall . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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