Conall
Say it: KON-al
BoyIrishMythologyMeans from old Celtic words for "hound" and "chief"6 letters2 syllables
#97
in Ireland (2025)
#99 with spellings combined
59
babies in 2025
#99
best rank (2025)
1,306
babies since 1966
Up 41
10-year rank change
Conall through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59 | #99 |
| 2024 | 36 | #143 |
| 2023 | 45 | #125 |
| 2022 | 44 | #135 |
| 2021 | 63 | #103 |
| 2020 | 34 | #163 |
| 2019 | 28 | #190 |
| 2018 | 25 | #215 |
| 2017 | 45 | #138 |
| 2016 | 48 | #136 |
| 2015 | 45 | #140 |
| 2014 | 48 | #132 |
| 2013 | 46 | #138 |
| 2012 | 48 | #146 |
| 2011 | 38 | #177 |
| 2010 | 40 | #169 |
| 2009 | 31 | #185 |
| 2008 | 36 | #176 |
| 2007 | 33 | #166 |
| 2006 | 40 | #135 |
| 2005 | 32 | #148 |
| 2004 | 21 | #177 |
| 2003 | 30 | #138 |
| 2002 | 17 | #185 |
| 2001 | 14 | #191 |
| 2000 | 21 | #158 |
| 1999 | 22 | #149 |
| 1998 | 22 | #145 |
| 1997 | 17 | #174 |
| 1996 | 21 | #156 |
| 1995 | 20 | #155 |
| 1994 | 12 | #184 |
| 1993 | 23 | #151 |
| 1992 | 13 | #188 |
| 1991 | 9 | #205 |
| 1990 | 15 | #175 |
| 1989 | 11 | #184 |
| 1988 | 6 | #235 |
| 1987 | 10 | #197 |
| 1986 | 11 | #192 |
| 1985 | 7 | #218 |
| 1984 | 5 | #250 |
| 1983 | 12 | #192 |
| 1982 | 11 | #196 |
| 1981 | 5 | #260 |
| 1980 | 5 | #264 |
| 1979 | 4 | #292 |
| 1978 | 16 | #170 |
| 1977 | 6 | #253 |
| 1976 | 6 | #241 |
| 1975 | 11 | #204 |
| 1974 | 6 | #251 |
| 1973 | 5 | #268 |
| 1972 | 6 | #238 |
| 1971 | 3 | #304 |
| 1970 | 3 | #305 |
| 1969 | 3 | #291 |
| 1968 | 5 | #222 |
| 1967 | 4 | #245 |
| 1966 | 4 | #229 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Conall mean?
From old Celtic words for "hound" and "chief"
Irish, from Old Irish Conall, built from old Celtic words for hound and chief.
Say it right
KONal
Many people say KUN-al, which is closer to the Irish.
The story of Conall
Conall is one of the oldest Irish names. It goes back through Old Irish to a Celtic form reconstructed as Kunowalos, made from a word for “hound” and a word for “chief” or “prince”. An early Ogham form, Cunavalas, shows how long it has been in use.
In the Ulster Cycle, Conall Cernach is one of the great warriors of the Ulaid. He and Cú Chulainn swore to avenge each other, and when Cú Chulainn was killed, Conall tracked down the men responsible. In history, Conall Gulban, a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, died around 464. His descendants gave their name to Tír Chonaill, which covered much of today’s County Donegal, and Saint Colm Cille came from his line.
Conall has been given in Ireland every year since it reached the CSO list in 1966, usually to fewer than 50 boys a year. It had its most babies in 2021, with 63 boys, and its best rank came in 2025, when it reached number 97 on the official CSO list. In Northern Ireland it did best in 1998, at number 77.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Conall (Irish and Old Irish proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Conall Cernach
- Wikipedia: Conall Gulban
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Conall | 59 | 1,306 |
In Northern Ireland
#143 in 2025 with 16 babies. Best rank #77 (1998); 706 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.