What does Conor mean?
Conor, from Conchobhar, is usually read “lover of hounds” or “desiring.”
What does Ronan mean?
Rónán means “little seal,” from the Irish rón.
Conor vs Ronan
Which is more popular?
Ronan is more popular than Conor today: about 1,406 US babies were given the name Ronan in 2025, compared with 292 named Conor.
| Conor | Ronan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Lover of hounds | Little seal |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | KON-er | ROH-nun |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1961 | 1959 |
| Peak year | 1993 (1,250) | 2025 (1,406) |
| In 2025 | 292 | 1,406 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Conor
Ronan
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Conor | Ronan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 3,021 | 7,749 |
| 2010s | 6,939 | 9,092 |
| 2000s | 5,938 | 3,343 |
| 1990s | 8,244 | 322 |
| 1980s | 2,676 | 84 |
| 1970s | 482 | 32 |
| 1960s | 80 | 47 |
| 1950s | 0 | 10 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Conor or Ronan more popular?
Ronan is more popular than Conor today: about 1,406 US babies were given the name Ronan in 2025, compared with 292 named Conor.
What is the difference between Conor and Ronan?
Conor means Lover of hounds (Irish origin), while Ronan means Little seal (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Conor or Ronan?
In US records, Conor first appears in 1961 and Ronan in 1959, so Ronan has the longer recorded history.