Connor

An Irish name associated with hounds

Connor means “lover of hounds.” It is a spelling of Conor, the English form of Irish Conchobar or modern Conchúr. The older name combines cú, “hound,” with an element meaning “desiring.” Its animal imagery belongs to the history of Irish personal names.

The double-n spelling follows the familiar surname form derived from the same name. Conor is another established choice, and Conner and Konnor are related modern spellings. Connor's surname-like appearance sits alongside an older history as a personal name in Ireland.

Conchobar in Irish stories

Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster in Irish mythology, is a central bearer of the older form. He belongs to the Ulster Cycle, the body of stories concerning the heroes and rulers of Ulster. His desire for Deirdre and his conflict with Queen Medb of Connacht are important parts of that legendary world.

The name was also borne by Irish rulers outside the stories. Connor's history therefore draws on both medieval naming practice and a literary tradition that preserved the older Conchobar. The modern English spelling is considerably shorter, while Conchúr shows another stage in the name's Irish development.

Connor McDavid and hockey

Canadian hockey player Connor McDavid gives the name a prominent modern sporting association. As captain of the Edmonton Oilers, he received the Conn Smythe Trophy for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The award recognizes the player judged most valuable to his team during the playoffs.

In that postseason he recorded 34 assists, a new NHL record, and eight goals for 42 points. The Oilers did not win the championship, making him one of the small number of players to receive the trophy while playing for the losing finalist. His given name is consequently familiar well beyond the countries where Connor is popular for babies.

Connor Franta and memoir

Writer and video creator Connor Franta provides a different contemporary connection. His memoir A Work in Progress appeared in 2015, moving from the short videos that built his audience to a longer account of his upbringing and early adulthood.

The book includes photographs and childhood material alongside reflections on identity, creativity, and growing up in the Midwest. Its opening recalls a community race organized by his parents in La Crescent, Minnesota. That specific small-town setting contrasts with the online audience through which many readers first encountered his name.

Pronunciation and related forms

English Connor is pronounced KON-er, with two syllables and the stress at the beginning. American and British speakers usually differ in the first vowel, following their respective pronunciations of words such as “cot.” Conor normally has the same English pronunciation despite its single n.

Conchobar and Conchúr are Irish relatives, while Conner is a familiar alternate spelling. Connor itself is brief enough to use in full, with the doubled consonant its most visible distinction from Conor.

Popularity in the United States

Connor reached its American male peak in 2004, with 10,049 births and a rank of 38. It ranked number 55 in 2015 and number 78 in 2020. In 2025 it ranked number 166, with 2,211 births, showing continued use at a lower level than its early-2000s peak.

How popular is Connor?

In 2025, Connor ranked #166 among boys in the United States, with 2,211 recorded uses. The U.S. birth records first list this spelling for boys in 1913; its largest annual count was 10,049 in 2004. Rankings count each spelling separately. They describe national use, so local familiarity can differ. The popularity chart shows whether the name has remained common, returned after a quieter period, or risen recently.