Conway

Pronunciation: [ k-AHNW-ay ]

Boy Name #1,531 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Celtic classic with rugged river origins

Irish Welsh American

Strong Vintage Earthy Classic

Meaning & Origin

"hound of the plain"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: English

"holy river"

Origin: Welsh

Language: English

The Story of Conway

Conway has dual Celtic origins. In Irish, it derives from Conmhaigh (anglicized as Ó Conmhaigh), meaning 'hound of the plain' — combining 'con' (hound, a symbol of nobility and loyalty in Celtic culture) and 'mhaigh' (plain). In Welsh, it comes from Conwy, a river name meaning 'holy river.' Both streams converge in the English surname Conway, which began transitioning to a given name in the 19th century.

Conway was used as a given name primarily in the American South during the 20th century, with country music legend Conway Twitty being its most famous bearer. It remains distinctive and relatively rare, appealing to parents seeking strong Celtic heritage names.

Conwy Castle in North Wales is one of Britain's most magnificent medieval fortresses and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Ireland, the Conway sept originated in County Mayo, where the name remains part of local heritage.

Fun Facts

Conway Twitty (1933-1993) recorded 55 number-one country hits, more than any other artist in country music history
The walled medieval town of Conwy in Wales, with its castle and complete town walls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Conway in Other Languages

Irish Conmhaigh

Welsh Conwy

French Conway

Spanish Conway

Portuguese Conway

Famous People Named Conway

Conway Twitty

Musician

1933

American country music legend who recorded 55 number-one country hits, more than any other artist in country music histo...

American country music legend who recorded 55 number-one country hits, more than any other artist in country music history

Tim Conway

Entertainer

1933

American comedian and actor beloved for The Carol Burnett Show, known for making his co-stars break character with laugh...

American comedian and actor beloved for The Carol Burnett Show, known for making his co-stars break character with laughter

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,531
Total SSA Count: 115
Cultural Origins: Irish Welsh American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Con Conn Way

Pairs Well With

Conway Patrick Conway James Conway Rhys Conway Finn Conway Garrett Conway Michael Conway Lee

Sibling Names

Callum Brendan Declan Maeve Bridget Cormac Siobhan

Also a Girl Name

Conway is also used as a girl name, ranked #40404.

View Conway as a girl name →

Similar Names

Conley Gunnar Connor Conner Honor Callahan Callahan Konnor

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Frequently Asked Questions About Conway

What does the name Conway mean?

"hound of the plain" (from Irish Gaelic). "holy river" (from Welsh). Conway has dual Celtic origins. In Irish, it derives from Conmhaigh (anglicized as Ó Conmhaigh), meaning 'hound of the plain' — combining 'con' (hound, a symbol of nobility and loyalty in Celtic culture) and 'mhaigh' (plain). In Welsh, it comes from Conwy, a river name meaning 'holy river.' Both streams converge in the English surname Conway, which began transitioning to a given name in the 19th century.

What is the origin of the name Conway?

Conway has Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "hound of the plain". In Welsh, it means "holy river".

Is Conway a boy or girl name?

Conway is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1531. As a girl name, it is ranked #40404. Conway is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Conway?

Conway is pronounced k-AHNW-ay.

How popular is the name Conway?

Conway is currently ranked #1531 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Conway?

Common nicknames for Conway include Con, Conn, and Way.

What are good middle names for Conway?

Popular middle name pairings include Conway Patrick, Conway James, Conway Rhys, Conway Finn, Conway Garrett, Conway Michael, and Conway Lee.

What are good sibling names for Conway?

Names that pair well with Conway as siblings include Callum, Brendan, Declan, Maeve, Bridget, Cormac, and Siobhan.

How many syllables does Conway have?

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

Is Conway a common or rare name?

Conway is an uncommon name, ranked #1531 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Conway

Conway is a boy name with Irish, Welsh, and American origins . The name means "hound of the plain" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Conway a boy or girl name? Conway is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,531 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #40,404. Conway is more commonly used as a boy name.

Conway is currently ranked #1,531 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Conway has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AHNW-ay, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Conway include Con, Conn, and Way. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.