Conner

Meaning of name Connor:

Conner's name is most likely a variant of the Irish name Connor. There are two possible origins for the name - one is Irish Gaelic and one is Anglo-Saxon. The Irish name Connor is derived from the old Gaelic name “Cónchobhar” meaning 'dog-lover' or from “Conaire-” meaning 'dog-noble'. Cónchobhar Mac Nessa was a legendary King of Ulster in Irish mythology. Alternatively, Conner could also be transferred to the use of an originating Anglo-Saxon surname as an occupational name for an inspector of weights and measures. In Middle English, the word “cunnere” 'inspector' means a derivative of “cun (NEN)” means 'to examine'. The name Connor is popular in the United States, England, and Scotland, but in Ireland they opt for the more traditional Irish spelling Conor (with an "n").

Popularity

The name Conner first entered the US charts in 1987, six years after Connor. It is clear that Conner's popularity was influenced by Connor. The name Conner made some significant jumps up the charts between 1987 and 1993 (the name advanced more than 550 chart positions in six years alone). In the mid-1990s, the name continued its movement up the list of the most favored boys' names in the United States; however, the growth in usage has slowed considerably. The peak of Conner's success came in 2005 when he reached #128 on the charts. In particular, like Conner's name in Oklahoma and Kentucky, where he is a Top 80 pick. Conner's name feels more like a surname and Connor/Conor found as more traditional Irish surnames. It really just comes down to parental preference, but if you're drawn to the meaning of the Gaelic name (ie dog lover) you should also consider getting your little boy a puppy one day!