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Honor
Pronounced ON-er /ˈɒn.ər/High
Meaning: Honor, integrity, and dignity; from the Latin honos meaning honor or esteem, used as a virtue name in the English-speaking worldHigh
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
Honor derives from the Latin honos (or honor), meaning public esteem or moral dignity. The Romans personified Honor as a divine entity, erecting temples in her name. The word entered English via Old French honur after the Norman Conquest.
As a given name, Honor was used by Puritans and later Victorian virtue-namers. It gained renewed attention in the late 20th century. For boys, it remains uncommon but is occasionally chosen by parents drawn to virtue names with classical depth.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Honor Blackman (1925-2020)English actress who played Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger
- ★Honor Kneafsey (2004-)British actress and voice of Robyn Goodfellowe in the animated film Wolfwalkers
- ★Honor Swinton ByrneBritish actress who starred in the film The Souvenir
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Honor mean?
Honor means integrity, dignity, and moral esteem, derived from the Latin honos meaning public honor.
How do you pronounce Honor?
It is said ON-er, two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Honor a boy or girl name?
Honor is used for both boys and girls but remains rare for boys, making it a distinctive choice.
How popular is Honor for boys?
Honor is uncommon for boys in the United States; it sees more use as a girls name but is occasionally chosen for boys by parents who favor virtue names.













