"chief desire"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Conner
Pronunciation: [ k-AHN-er ]
Does Conner flow with your last name?
Ancient Irish king name with timeless warrior spirit
Irish
American
English
Scottish
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Bold
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The Story of Conner
Conner is a variant spelling of Connor, derived from the Old Irish Conchobhar, composed of conn (mind, chief) or cu (hound, wolf) and cobhar (desiring). The name therefore means lover of hounds or desirer of wolves — an honorable quality in ancient Irish warrior culture where dogs and wolves were symbols of nobility and bravery. It was an ancient royal name of Ireland, most famously borne by Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.
Connor and its variants became hugely popular in the US from the 1990s through the 2010s as Irish names experienced a major revival. Conner with an -er ending distinguishes itself slightly from the more common Connor spelling.
In Irish mythology, Conchobhar mac Nessa was the legendary King of Ulster, uncle of the hero Cuchulainn, and central figure in the Ulster Cycle of epics. The name carries this weight of heroic Irish tradition. It is also associated with Terminator's John Connor.
Historical Record
Conner first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 55,930 babies have been named Conner in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Conner is past its peak , currently ranked #785 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Conchobar mac Nessa appears in over 40 Irish mythological texts
- Connor was the third most popular boys name in the US in 2001
Conner in Other Languages
Irish
Conchobhar
French
Connor
Spanish
Connor
Scottish Gaelic
Conchobhar
Popularity Over Time
#785
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2005
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Conner
C
J
John Connor Fictional
Other
The future leader of humanity in the Terminator franchise, one of the most iconic fictional Connors
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #785
- Total SSA Count
- 320
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American English Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- 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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Conner
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Conner is also used as a girl name, ranked #12849.
View Conner as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Conner
What does the name Conner mean?
"chief desire" (from Old Irish). Conner is a variant spelling of Connor, derived from the Old Irish Conchobhar, composed of conn (mind, chief) or cu (hound, wolf) and cobhar (desiring). The name therefore means lover of hounds or desirer of wolves — an honorable quality in ancient Irish warrior culture where dogs and wolves were symbols of nobility and bravery. It was an ancient royal name of Ireland, most famously borne by Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.
What is the origin of the name Conner?
Conner has Old Irish, Irish, American, English, and Scottish origins. In Old Irish, it means "chief desire".
Is Conner a boy or girl name?
Conner is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #785. As a girl name, it is ranked #12849. Conner is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Conner?
Conner is pronounced k-AHN-er.
How popular is the name Conner?
Conner is currently ranked #785 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Conner?
Common nicknames for Conner include Con.
What are good middle names for Conner?
Popular middle name pairings include Conner James, Conner Patrick, Conner Michael, Conner Ryan, Conner Sean, and Conner Brendan.
What are good sibling names for Conner?
Names that pair well with Conner as siblings include Aidan, Declan, Brigid, Siobhan, Keegan, and Fiona.
How many syllables does Conner have?
Conner has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Conner a common or rare name?
Conner is moderately common, ranked #785 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Conner?
About the Name Conner
Conner is a boy name with Irish, American, English, and Scottish origins . The name means "chief desire" in Old Irish .
Is Conner a boy or girl name? Conner is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #785 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #12,849. Conner is more commonly used as a boy name.
Conner is currently ranked #785 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Conner has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AHN-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Conner include Con. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Conner include Connor, Connell . 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