What does Conor mean?
Conor, from Conchobhar, is usually read “lover of hounds” or “desiring.”
What does Kian mean?
Kian comes from the Irish Cian, “ancient” or “enduring.”
Conor vs Kian
Which is more popular?
Kian is more popular than Conor today: about 797 US babies were given the name Kian in 2025, compared with 292 named Conor.
| Conor | Kian | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Lover of hounds | Ancient, enduring |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | KON-er | KEE-un |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1961 | 1970 |
| Peak year | 1993 (1,250) | 2025 (797) |
| In 2025 | 292 | 797 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Conor
Kian
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Conor | Kian |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 3,021 | 4,304 |
| 2010s | 6,939 | 5,452 |
| 2000s | 5,938 | 2,787 |
| 1990s | 8,244 | 698 |
| 1980s | 2,676 | 138 |
| 1970s | 482 | 78 |
| 1960s | 80 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Conor or Kian more popular?
Kian is more popular than Conor today: about 797 US babies were given the name Kian in 2025, compared with 292 named Conor.
What is the difference between Conor and Kian?
Conor means Lover of hounds (Irish origin), while Kian means Ancient, enduring (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Conor or Kian?
In US records, Conor first appears in 1961 and Kian in 1970, so Conor has the longer recorded history.