Updated October 2026
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Irish
"sea warrior"
This surname name was popularized for girls in the 80s and 90s by TV's Murphy Brown and it maintains that cool breezy energy today, while also having an appealing sea-related meaning. Ultimately…
"hound of the plain"
Historically tied to country music legend Conway Twitty, it’s now gaining traction alongside names like Connor, Colton, and Corbin. Growing in usage along with other surnames as first names, Conway…
"hound (or wolf) of the plain"
Conroy is one Con name that feels a bit dated, though perhaps it's so far out it's coming in? Worth consideration if you like Connor but feel it's too widely used.
Scottish
"hound of the promontory"
Scottish and Irish Mac and Mc surnames are definitely up for consideration, and this one has sports cred via its link to tennis champ John. It was one of the fastest-rising names on Nameberry in…
Celtic
"sun lord or sun hound"
The title of a Shakespeare play based on legends featuring the early Celtic King Cunobelinus, whose name derives from the Gaulish sun god Belenus.
Scottish, Literature
"white hound"
Appearing on a character in Shakespeare's semi-historical play, Macbeth and in an earlier work called Holinshed's Chronicles from which Shakespeare took inspiration, the name Banquo has yet to appear…
"fierce as a hound"
Connolly, an alternate spelling of Connelly, could make a livelier and less common substitute for Connor.
"son of the hound lover"
Perfect name for the child of dog enthusiasts, and much more distinctive than the trendy Connor.