Variant of Connor, from Irish 'Conchobhar' meaning 'lover of hounds' or 'wise warrior.'
Conner is a spelling variant of Connor, a name rooted in the Irish Conchobhar, an old and much-debated Gaelic form often interpreted along lines such as “lover of hounds” or “wolf-lover,” with the second element tied to a desire or affinity. The name is ancient in Ireland and most famously borne by Conchobar mac Nessa, the king of Ulster in the heroic cycles of early Irish literature. Through those tales, the name became linked with kingship, martial honor, and the emotionally charged world of Celtic legend.
As the original Gaelic form passed through Anglicization, Connor became the standard spelling, while Conner emerged later as a parallel form, especially in modern English-speaking countries. Conner’s rise as a first name belongs largely to the late 20th-century taste for Irish names and surnames that feel energetic but accessible. In some cases it may also reflect the surname Conner being used as a given name, which helped reinforce this spelling.
The result is a name that feels contemporary and athletic while still standing on very old ground. In literature and pop culture, Irish heroic names often carry a slightly romanticized aura of bravery and intensity, and Conner benefits from that background even when used casually. Compared with the more traditional Connor, Conner can seem a touch more modern and American in style, but the two remain closely related in sound and spirit. It is a good example of how an old Gaelic royal name traveled through myth, language change, and migration to become a mainstream modern choice.