Conway: Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance

Meaning
No single agreed meaning; candidates include an Anglicization of Welsh Conwy (from Old Welsh 'cyn' chief + 'gwy' water, roughly 'chief river'), or derivation from Irish surnames built on 'cú/con' (hound)
Origin
Welsh, Irish, or Scottish (disputed)
Gender
Boy
Pronunciation
KAHN-way

Conway is a Welsh, Irish, or Scottish (disputed) boy's name meaning “no single agreed meaning; candidates include an Anglicization of Welsh Conwy (from Old Welsh 'cyn' chief + 'gwy' water, roughly 'chief river'), or derivation from Irish surnames built on 'cú/con' (hound)”. It appears in 2 of our baby name lists.

Meaning & Origin of Conway

Meaning: No single agreed meaning; candidates include an Anglicization of Welsh Conwy (from Old Welsh 'cyn' chief + 'gwy' water, roughly 'chief river'), or derivation from Irish surnames built on 'cú/con' (hound).

Origin: Welsh, Irish, or Scottish (disputed).

A common claim: "Hound of the plain" or "yellow hound" Actually: Both listicle glosses reflect only the Irish-surname branch of a three-way disputed origin -- the more commonly cited Welsh place-name Anglicization ('chief water') points to a different meaning entirely.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Conway

KAHN-wayIPA /ˈkɒnweɪ/

Popularity of Conway

Lists That Include Conway

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