Baby names
Connor is a spelling variant of Conor, an Anglicized form of the Irish Conchobar. The older name combines elements associated with a hound, dog or wolf and with desire. “Lover of hounds” is a common shorthand, but the useful distinction for parents is between that historical interpretation and the spelling they actually want their child to use.
The ranks on this page refer to Canada in 2025 within the male sex-at-birth group, not to worldwide popularity.
From Conchobar to Connor
Behind the Name explains that Connor’s double-n spelling follows the surname derived from the given name. Its Conor entry identifies the Anglicized connection to Conchobar or the modern Irish Conchúr. This is a name with a documented linguistic chain, not a modern English phrase assembled from its letters.
The Conchobar entry gives the Old Irish elements cú, “hound, dog, wolf”, and cobar, “desiring”. Since the first element has more than one canine translation, “wolf lover” should not be presented as the only precise meaning. A qualified explanation is more honest than selecting whichever animal image sounds most appealing.
The double n is a real choice
Connor and Conor belong to the same name family, but their written forms differ. The historical Conchobar is not merely Connor with decorative extra letters, either. It represents a different stage in the name’s linguistic history. These distinctions can help if you are naming after a relative or trying to make an Irish connection visible.
| Form | Relationship | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Connor | Variant based on the surname spelling | Two n letters |
| Conor | Anglicized form of Conchobar or Conchúr | One n letter |
| Conchobar | Old Irish form | Historical spelling and original elements |
If a relative is named Conor, decide whether you want to repeat that exact form or use Connor. Neither choice needs a claim that one spelling is superior. However, using the same spelling may make your intention clearer when you tell the family story. If you choose Connor, be comfortable explaining the double n when it matters.
A name meaning is not a pet prediction
The hound-related interpretation can be a memorable detail to share with a child. It does not establish an affection for dogs, a love of nature or a particular kind of courage. Those preferences will come from the person’s own experiences. An etymological image can be meaningful without becoming a description of someone you have not yet met.
The older name also appears in Irish mythology, according to the Conchobar reference. Mythological stories and linguistic meanings are different things: a character’s actions do not become the expected traits of everyone with a related name. If heritage is central to your choice, you can focus on the name’s language history rather than treating a legendary figure as a personality model.
Testing Connor in everyday use
Write Connor with the complete surname and any middle names. Notice the repeated letters if the surname also contains double consonants, but do not assume that repetition is a problem. Say the first name and surname in an introduction, then try the full combination. The aim is to hear what you will actually use, not to meet a supposed rule about syllable balance.
If your household uses French and English, ask relatives to read the spelling you have chosen. You may hear differences without either person misunderstanding the written name. Decide which usage you prefer to encourage and whether variation is acceptable to you. A name does not need to change spelling each time the conversation changes language.
For popularity, keep Connor and Conor separate unless the source explicitly groups them. A national Canadian rank cannot tell you how often Connor will appear in your local school or whether relatives will prefer the single-n spelling.
Statistics Canada records 206 uses of Connor in 2025, with an official rank of 161 within the male sex-at-birth group.
| Year | Recorded uses | Official rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 670 | 45 |
| 2020 | 432 | 70 |
| 2025 | 206 | 161 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0147-01, released September 23, 2026. Accents are normalized and sex-at-birth groups are separate. Tied ranks are retained; counts below five are excluded and absence is not zero. These annual data concern recorded first given names, not everyone living with the name. They do not predict a future classroom or future frequency.
Other options to compare on their own merits include Owen and Aiden. Keep your shortlist in perspective with the baby-name directory, rather than choosing only by a rank.
Questions parents ask about Connor
Is Connor an Irish name?
Its name family is Irish. Connor is a variant of the Anglicized Conor, with a spelling influenced by the related surname.
Does Connor mean “wolf lover”?
That is one simplified interpretation. The documented older elements include hound, dog or wolf and desire, so a more qualified explanation avoids implying only one exact animal translation.
Is Conor a misspelling of Connor?
No. Conor is a documented related form. Choosing Connor means choosing the double n, not correcting every Conor you encounter.
Sources: Connor, Conor and Conchobar, Behind the Name.
