Meaning of the Name Connor
Connor is an Old Irish name with a truly legendary origin. By studying its background, I’ve learned the meaning of the name Connor, which you can access on this page.
Meaning of the Name Connor:
Derived from the Old Irish word Conchobhar, the meaning of the name Connor is “love of hounds” or “strong-willed.” It’s used primarily as a masculine given name, though Connor may also be used as a feminine given name.
Origins of the Name Connor
The name Connor originated in Ireland where it was derived from the Irish word Conchobhar. In Irish mythology, Conchobhar was the king of Ulster. Etymologists believe that the Irish word Conchobhar was converted into the English given name Connor. Because of the popularity surrounding Irish Mythology, it led people to create and use names described in the legends, thus paving the way for the masculine given name Connor.
Conchobhar itself is a compound word consisting of two parts: conn and cobhair. The former word means “strength” or “willpower,” whereas the latter word means “hound-lover.” At some point during Ireland’s long-reaching history, the word Conchobhar was angelized to the masculine given name Connor.
While still a common given name for boys in Ireland, Connor is now used as a masculine given name in many other countries, including Scotland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States.
The popularity of the Name Connor
Although the name Connor has been around for centuries, it didn’t become popular in the United States until the past few decades. In 1920, it was the 2,803rd most popular boys’ name in the country. In 1930, Connor was the 4,105th most popular boys’ name in the United States. In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, Connor retained this relatively low level of popularity.
Connor began trending as a masculine given name, however, during the mid-1970s. In 1975, Connor was the 2,293rd most popular boys’ name in the United States. In 1977, it was the 1,869th most popular boys’ name in the country. In 1979, Connor was the 1,128th most popular boys’ name in the United States. Connor peaked in 2004 when it ranked as the 38th most popular boys’ name in the country.
Famous men named Connor include American football player Connor Hamlett, American hockey player Connor Murphy, American actor Connor Paolo, British motorcycle racer Connor Behan and British singer and guitarist Connor Ball.
Popular variants of the name Connor include Conner, Connor, and Conor.
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