"hound of the plain"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Conway
Pronunciation: [ k-AHNW-ay ]
Does Conway flow with your last name?
A Celtic classic with rugged river origins
Irish
Welsh
American
Strong
Vintage
Earthy
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Conway
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Meaning & Origin
"holy river"
Origin: Welsh
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Conway first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,772 babies have been named Conway in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Conway is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,531 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,531
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Conway
C
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
T
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
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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
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, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Irish 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, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Conway
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Conway is also used as a girl name, ranked #40404.
View Conway as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Irish)
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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.
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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