Connor

Commonly interpreted as “lover of hounds”, through the Irish name Conchobar.

Connor belongs to the Irish name family of Conchobar, usually interpreted as “lover of hounds”. That reading connects an old word for a hound with an element meaning “desiring”. The early meaning is not entirely certain, but the connection with the Irish name is well established. Connor is used as a masculine given name. Connor and Conor are closely related spellings: Connor takes its double n from the related surname, while Conor has one. In the English pronunciations given here, they sound alike. The stress falls on the first of two syllables; the American form has an audible final r, while the British form shown here does not. Choosing between the spellings is therefore more about how the name looks than about a different sound. The clear k sound gives Connor a decisive start, followed by a quieter, softer ending. That contrast can make it feel lively without being abrupt. It offers a compact way to carry an Irish naming connection, with a fairly straightforward written shape.

Etymology: Connor is a variant of Conor, an anglicized form of the Irish name Conchobar. A common explanation connects con, “hound”, with cobar, “desiring”; the early meaning is not entirely certain. The double-n spelling reflects the related surname.