UK boy's name
Con
A diminutive form of Cornelius, derived from the Latin cornū meaning "horn".
Con is a boy's name in the UK records.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Con. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Con ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #404 in 2024.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Con as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
-
Births in -
-
Peak year
-
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Con mean?
The name Con is a diminutive form of the name Connor, which has its origins in the Irish Gaelic language. Connor is derived from the old Irish word "condrae," meaning "desire" or "lover of hounds." The name is believed to have emerged in the 5th or 6th century AD, during the early Christian period in Ireland.
In Irish mythology, Connor was the name of the legendary king of Ulster, who was renowned for his bravery and prowess in battle. The name gained popularity in Ireland and Scotland during the Middle Ages and was often associated with the warrior class and nobility.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Connor can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a King Connor of Dalriada, who ruled in the 6th century AD.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Connor or its variants. One of the most famous was Connor MacNessa, a legendary Irish hero from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He was said to be the greatest warrior of his time and a prominent figure in the epic tale The Cattle Raid of Cooley.
Another well-known figure was Connor III, who was the King of Connacht in Ireland from 819 to 833 AD. He was renowned for his military campaigns against the Vikings and his efforts to defend his kingdom from invaders.
In the realm of literature, Connor Cruise O'Brien (1917-2008) was an Irish diplomat, writer, and political theorist who is best known for his works on Irish nationalism and his criticisms of colonialism.
In the world of sports, Connor McDavid (born in 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the league and has won numerous awards and accolades.
Finally, Connor Franta (born in 1992) is an American YouTuber, entrepreneur, and author who gained popularity for his lifestyle and LGBTQ+ advocacy content. He has written several books and has been recognized for his efforts in promoting LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have borne the name Connor or its diminutive form, Con, throughout history. The name has a rich heritage and has been carried by warriors, kings, writers, athletes, and activists over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Geography
Where Con is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Con. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Con ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #404 in 2024.
Across the UK
Con in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#404 in 2024
2 years of NISRA records, 6 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Con
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Con O'Neill
actor; stage actor; television actor
English actor and singer
1966-
-
Con Coughlin
expert; journalist
British journalist and author (born 1955)
1955-
-
Con Murray
association football coach; association football player
Scottish footballer (born 1932)
1932-
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Con Devitt
trade unionist
New Zealand trade unionist
1928-2014
-
Con O'Neill
diplomat; politician
British diplomat (1912–1988)
1912-1988
-
Con Lehane
actor; politician
Irish politician (1912-1983)
1912-1983
-
Con Murphy
rugby league player; rugby union player
Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer
1908-1964
-
Con O'Leary
writer
Irish-born author (1888-1958)
1888-1958
Related
Names similar to Con
- Charlie 104,761
- Callum 65,796
- Connor 53,072
- Cameron 40,394
- Charles 33,091
- Christopher 26,849
- Caleb 15,553
- Corey 12,622
- Carter 11,505
- Cody 11,075
- Conor 10,298
- Christian 9,695
FAQ
Con: questions and answers
What is the meaning and origin of Con?
A diminutive form of Cornelius, derived from the Latin cornū meaning "horn".
Where is Con most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Con ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #404 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.