What does connor mean?
Connor is a masculine given name and surname of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Irish name Conchobhar, which is generally interpreted as meaning 'lover of hounds' or 'wolf-lover'. In Irish mythology, Conchobhar mac Nessa was the legendary king of Ulster who features prominently in the Ulster Cycle, including the Táin Bó Cúailnge. The name spread beyond Ireland through emigration, particularly to Britain, North America, and Australia. As a surname it commonly appears in the form O'Connor, from the Gaelic Ó Conchobhair, meaning 'descendant of Conchobhar'. Since the late twentieth century, Connor has ranked among the most popular boys' names in several English-speaking countries, often spelled Conor in Ireland itself. Notable bearers include the American writer Flannery O'Connor. The name is always capitalised as a proper noun and carries warm, familiar associations in modern usage.
proper nounConnor is an Irish male given name and surname, anglicised from the Irish name Conchobhar (Conor), borne by several figures in Irish history and legend, most notably Conchobhar mac Nessa, king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.
- A male given name of Irish origin, anglicised from Conchobhar.
- An Irish surname, historically O'Connor (Ó Conchobhair), meaning 'descendant of Conchobhar'.
"Connor was delighted to discover that his family name traced back to the ancient kings of Ulster."
"Connor has been one of the most popular boys' names in Ireland, Britain, and the United States since the late twentieth century."
"The novelist Flannery O'Connor belonged to a distinguished Irish-American branch of the O'Connor family."
Used only when referring to multiple people named Connor, or to members of the Connor family.
"The Connors have lived in Galway for generations."
Connor isn't just a popular modern name — it descends from Conchobhar, the warrior-king of Ulster in Ireland's oldest epic tales, making every Connor a namesake of Iron Age legend.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of connor
Connor derives from the Old Irish name Conchobhar (also rendered Conchobar), borne by the pre-eminent king of Ulster in early Irish saga literature. Its etymology is usually explained as deriving from elements relating to 'hound' or 'wolf lover' (cú, 'hound', plus a second element). The anglicised form Connor arose as Irish names were adapted into English spelling, and the hereditary surname O'Connor (Ó Conchobhair) marked descendants of this line. Related forms include the more authentically Irish spelling Conor.
How connor is actually used
As a given name, Connor (often spelled Conor in Ireland) carries a friendly, contemporary connotation and peaked in popularity in the 1990s and 2000s. The surname form traditionally appears with the Gaelic prefix as O'Connor. It is always capitalised as a proper noun.
Easily confused with connor
"Conner" (lowercase c) can be a variant spelling of the same Irish surname, but should not be confused with "connor" as used here for the standard anglicisation of Conchobhar.