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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cannon

Cannon

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAN-un /ˈkæn.ən/High

Meaning: From the English surname Cannon, which comes from 'canon,' a cleric attached to a cathedral, and which also reads as the word for the artillery gun. Used here for a girl though it is chiefly a boys'/surname name — we note the lean.Low

In 30 seconds: A surname-and-word name: Cannon comes from 'canon,' a cathedral cleric (said 'KAN-un'). Usually a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname Cannon, which comes from 'canon,' a cleric attached to a cathedral, and which also reads as the word for the artillery gun. Used here for a girl though it is chiefly a boys'/surname name — we note the lean.
U.S. rank (2024)#13758 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 229

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619932024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cannon is an English surname from 'canon,' a cleric of a cathedral chapter; it doubles as the word for the big gun, which gives the name its punch. It rose as a boys' name in the U.S. and is used only rarely for girls; more often a boy's name, which we note (said 'KAN-un').

For girls it is very rare in the U.S., against heavier boys' use. Rare, surname-style, and bold.

Did you know? The surname Cannon has a churchly root — a canon was a cleric who served a cathedral — even though the modern ear hears the artillery piece first (said 'KAN-un').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Cannon — English surname from 'canon'; cross-sex, boy-leaning

Variations

CanonKannonCanyon

Nicknames

CannieNonnie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cannon…

Canyon— a like bold Can- surname-style name
Carson— a like unisex surname pick
Kannon— a K- spelling twin
Campbell— a like Scottish surname used for girls

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cannon mean?

Cannon is an English surname from 'canon,' a cleric of a cathedral; it also reads as the word for the gun.

How do you pronounce Cannon?

It's said KAN-un /ˈkæn.ən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cannon a boy or girl name?

Cannon is used for both, but far more often for boys — we note the lean.

How popular is Cannon?

Cannon is very rare for girls in the U.S. and much more common for boys.

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