The name Conan is of Irish origin and means "hound warrior" or "wolf like". It comes from the ancient Irish given name Cú Chulainn, which was a legendary figure in Celtic mythology known for his great strength, courage, and skill as a warrior.
Conan is derived from the Old Irish word "cú", meaning "hound", and "Chulainn", which means "of Culann". In the legend, Cú Chulainn was born as Setanta, but he earned his new name after killing Culann's fearsome hound. He then offered to become a substitute guard dog for Culann, hence becoming known as "Cú Chulainn".
The name Conan became popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, likely due to its use in literature and media. It was made famous by the character Conan the Barbarian created by writer Robert E. Howard in the 1930s, who went on to become a central figure in sword and sorcery fantasy stories.
In addition, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, has a connection to the name Conan through his middle name. While it is not explicitly stated in the stories, some sources suggest that Doyle intended for Holmes' full name to be Sherlock Conan Holmes, although he ultimately dropped the middle name.
Overall, the name Conan carries a strong and powerful meaning with its roots in ancient Irish mythology. Its popularity has been influenced by literary and media figures throughout history, making it a recognizable and memorable choice for a given name.
The name Conan has been given to a total of 2264 babies born in the United States between 1923 and 2023, according to the statistics provided. While it may not be one of the most popular names, its popularity has seen significant fluctuations over the years.
From 1923 to 1970, the number of births with the name Conan remained relatively low, ranging from a single digit figure to a maximum of 56 births in 1972. However, starting from 1970, there was a notable increase in popularity, with over 30 births each year until 1984.
The peak period for the name Conan appears to be between 1970 and 1984, during which time it enjoyed moderate to high popularity. During this period, the number of births ranged from a low of 21 in 1984 to a high of 63 in 1981.
After 1984, there was another decline in popularity, with fewer than 20 births each year until 1993. However, since then, the popularity of the name Conan has seen a resurgence, with over 50 births recorded each year between 1993 and 2023.
Interestingly, the most recent years have seen a significant increase in the number of births with the name Conan. Between 2018 and 2023, there were over 50 births each year, with the highest figure being 83 births recorded in 2023. This suggests that the name Conan may be regaining popularity among parents in recent years.
Overall, while Conan may not be one of the most common names given to babies born in the United States, its popularity has shown significant fluctuations over the past century. Its peak period appears to be between the late 1970s and early 1980s, but it has seen a resurgence in recent years.
It is always interesting to observe the trends in baby naming and how they evolve over time. The statistics provided give us a glimpse into the popularity of the name Conan among parents in the United States and show that while its popularity may fluctuate, there continues to be a consistent number of babies named Conan each year.