Conan

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOHN-an /ˈkoʊn.æn/Medium

Meaning: Little wolfMedium

In 30 seconds: Conan is an Irish boy's name meaning 'little wolf'. It carries the soft sound of Irish but a fierce little image at its heart.

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Origin MediumIrish

MeaningLittle wolf

U.S. rank (2025)#1678 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births98 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,440

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Conan comes from Irish, where it means 'little wolf' and appears in older spellings like Conán. The wolf was a familiar animal in early Irish life and storytelling, and the diminutive ending gives the name a sense of something small but spirited. It belongs to the same Gaelic naming world as related forms such as Cúán.

Many English speakers first meet the name through comedian and late-night host Conan O'Brien, which gives it a warm, modern association alongside its old Irish roots. The accented form Conán keeps the original pronunciation closer to its Gaelic source.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Conan is 'little wolf', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 70%

Behind the Name - Conan — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

ConánCúán

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Conan O'Brien (1963–present)
American television host, comedian, and writer known for late-night shows including Late Night and Conan.

If you like Conan…

Coleman— shares the -an ending

Cian— shares Conan's Irish roots

Callan— shares the -an ending

Caelan— a similarly popular pick

Brendan— shares Conan's Irish roots

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Conan mean?

Conan is usually explained as meaning 'little wolf' and is most often linked with Irish tradition.

How do you pronounce Conan?

It's commonly said KOHN-an /ˈkoʊn.æn/.

Is Conan a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Conan is used as a boy name.

How popular is Conan?

In 2024, Conan ranked #2010 in the U.S. for boys, with 76 births recorded.