"reputation, esteem"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Honor
Pronunciation: [ AHN-er ]
Does Honor flow with your last name?
A timeless virtue name standing for integrity
English
American
Irish
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Spiritual
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Primarily used as a feminine name in recent decades, which may cause confusion for males
The Story of Honor
Honor comes from the Latin 'honor' or 'honos,' meaning 'honor, dignity, reputation.' It was used as a given name from medieval times, often to express a parent's hope that their child would lead a life of integrity and honor. In Ireland, Honor was historically used as an anglicization of the Irish name Onora, itself a form of Honoria. As a virtue name, Honor sits alongside Faith, Hope, and Charity as a name expressing values rather than just identity.
Honor as a first name has experienced a quiet resurgence in the 21st century, part of a broader return to virtue names and meaningful word-names. It has been used for both boys and girls, though it leans feminine in recent US usage. The name gained attention through Honor Warren, daughter of actress Jessica Alba.
The concept of honor has been central to cultures worldwide — from Roman civic virtue to Japanese bushido to tribal honor codes. As a name, Honor makes a profound statement about the values parents wish to instill. In Irish Catholic tradition, Saint Honorius and related names carried religious weight.
Historical Record
Honor first appeared in US Social Security records in 1952.
Over 1,385 babies have been named Honor in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Honor is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,585 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Honor has been a given name in English since at least the medieval period
- Honor Warren, daughter of actress Jessica Alba, has helped keep this virtue name in the spotlight
Honor in Other Languages
Irish
Onora
Latin
Honorius
French
Honore
Italian
Onore
Spanish
Honorio
Popularity Over Time
#1,585
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Honor
H
Honor Warren
Other
2008
Daughter of actress Jessica Alba, helping bring this virtue name into contemporary use
H
Honor Blackman
Actor
1925
British actress famous for playing Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,585
- Total SSA Count
- 109
- Cultural Origins
- English American Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Nicknames
Hon
Hoy
Hoie
Honkins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Honor
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Honor is also used as a girl name, ranked #2098.
View Honor as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Honor
What does the name Honor mean?
"reputation, esteem" (from Latin). Honor comes from the Latin 'honor' or 'honos,' meaning 'honor, dignity, reputation.' It was used as a given name from medieval times, often to express a parent's hope that their child would lead a life of integrity and honor. In Ireland, Honor was historically used as an anglicization of the Irish name Onora, itself a form of Honoria. As a virtue name, Honor sits alongside Faith, Hope, and Charity as a name expressing values rather than just identity.
What is the origin of the name Honor?
Honor has Latin, English, American, and Irish origins. In Latin, it means "reputation, esteem".
Is Honor a boy or girl name?
Honor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1585. As a girl name, it is ranked #2098. Honor is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Honor?
Honor is pronounced AHN-er.
How popular is the name Honor?
Honor is currently ranked #1585 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Honor?
Common nicknames for Honor include Hon, Hoy, Hoie, and Honkins.
What are good middle names for Honor?
Popular middle name pairings include Honor James, Honor William, Honor Lee, Honor Thomas, Honor Beckett, and Honor Cole.
What are good sibling names for Honor?
Names that pair well with Honor as siblings include Valor, Justice, Noble, Greer, Verity, and Magnus.
How many syllables does Honor have?
Honor has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Honor a common or rare name?
Honor is an uncommon name, ranked #1585 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Honor
Honor is a boy name with English, American, and Irish origins . The name means "reputation, esteem" in Latin .
Is Honor a boy or girl name? Honor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,585 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,098. Honor is more commonly used as a boy name.
Honor is currently ranked #1,585 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Honor has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHN-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Honor include Hon, Hoy, Hoie, and Honkins. 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