Connor in Chinese
Connor in Chinese is 康纳 (Kāng Nà).
- Origin
- Irish
- Meaning
- lover of hounds; wise
The name traces back to Irish sources, where it is usually explained as "lover of hounds; wise". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1913 and peaked in 2004. Spellings pronounced the same way include Conner, which share the transliteration 康纳.
3 ways to write Connor
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
康纳
Kāng Nà
The standard transliteration of Connor: 康 (kāng, "healthy, well-being"), 纳 (nà, "to accept, receive"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 康 (kāng) carries "con", 纳 (nà) carries "nor". The tone contour is 1-4 (high level, falling).
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 康
kāng
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
healthy, well-being
- 纳
nà
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to accept, receive
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
乐天
Lè Tiān
Inspired by "lover of hounds; wise": 乐 (lè, "joy, happiness; music") + 天 (tiān, "heaven, sky"), expressing love, joy and blessings.
Why these characters?
The idea of "lover" behind Connor is rendered by 乐, "joy, happiness; music"; 天, "heaven, sky", completes it.
Character breakdown
9 strokes total (simplified)- 乐
lè
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
joy, happiness; music
- 天
tiān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
heaven, sky
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
康乐
Kāng Lè
康 (kāng, "healthy, well-being") + 乐 (lè, "joy, happiness; music"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 康 (kāng), the same opening character as the transliteration 康纳, for the "con" sound, and replaces the rest with 乐 ("joy, happiness; music") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 康
kāng
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
healthy, well-being
- 乐
lè
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
joy, happiness; music
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Connor
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Connor ranked 117 among names recorded for boys, with 19,074 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 204,068 boys named Connor since 1913, with the high point in 2004 (10,047 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #222 to #56 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2004
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1913
- Total since 1880
- 204,068
More About Connor in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Connor offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Connor, you'll find options that work for you.
Connor is also spelled Conner — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Conner in Chinese, Jackson in Chinese, and Jack in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Paul in Chinese, Travis in Chinese, Luis in Chinese, and Jayden in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Connor, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Connor to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Connor in Chinese characters?
康纳 (Kāng Nà), or 康納 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is Connor written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 康纳 becomes 康納; the changed characters are 纳→納. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.
Do Connor and Conner have the same Chinese name?
Yes. Both are written 康纳, because Chinese transliteration follows pronunciation rather than English spelling.