Honor

Pronunciation: [ AHN-er ]

Boy Name #1,585 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A timeless virtue name standing for integrity

English American Irish

Classic Strong Traditional Spiritual Bold

Meaning & Origin

"reputation, esteem"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Honor

Honor Warren

Other

2008

Daughter of actress Jessica Alba, helping bring this virtue name into contemporary use

Honor Blackman

Actor

1925

British actress famous for playing Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger

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 Honie

Pairs Well With

Honor James Honor William Honor Lee Honor Thomas Honor Beckett Honor Cole

Sibling Names

Valor Justice Noble Greer Verity Magnus

Also a Girl Name

Honor is also used as a girl name, ranked #2098.

View Honor as a girl name →

Similar Names

Abner Palmer Conway Conley Honor Gunnar Connor Tanner

Playground Safety

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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, and Honie.

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, and Honie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.