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Canon

Quick answerThe given name 'Canon' derives from the Greek word *kanon* meaning "rule" or "measuring rod," and in a transferred sense signifies "clergyman" or "one who lives by a rule." It is used primarily in English-speaking Christian cultures, notably as a surname-turned-first-name, with historical ties to the medieval clerical…

Greek · Boy · 2 syllables

C
Top 5,000

Popularity & facts

Relative popularity index, 2010–2025
GenderBoy
US Rank#2,211
TrendStable
Peak year2019
Syllables2
OriginGreek
LanguageEnglish
CultureWestern Christian
ReligionChristianity
Letters5
Numerology2 Chaldean 3
Global rank#2,211

Popularity over time

Popularity index
Hover the line to see any year. 100 = most popular.

Historical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data

About the name Canon

The given name 'Canon' derives from the Greek word *kanon* meaning "rule" or "measuring rod," and in a transferred sense signifies "clergyman" or "one who lives by a rule." It is used primarily in English-speaking Christian cultures, notably as a surname-turned-first-name, with historical ties to the medieval clerical title "canon" for a member of a cathedral chapter.

This meaning was compiled with AI assistance and is awaiting community review. Know this name well? Help verify or improve it.

Etymology

The given name 'Canon' derives from the Greek word *kanon* meaning "rule" or "measuring rod," and in a transferred sense signifies "clergyman" or "one who lives by a rule." It is used primarily in English-speaking Christian cultures, notably as a surname-turned-first-name, with historical ties to the medieval clerical title "canon" for a member of a cathedral chapter.

Canon currently ranks #2,211 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 2019.

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