Declining since 2020, #721 for boys today.
Popularity of Cannon since 1904
Babies named Cannon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 17 |
| 1920s | 25 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 13 |
| 1960s | 22 |
| 1970s | 124 |
| 1980s | 127 |
| 1990s | 536 |
| 2000s | 2,400 |
| 2010s | 4,994 |
| 2020s | 2,709 |
Meaning & origin
Cannon is a bold, straightforward English name with roots as a surname derived from the artillery piece. Its popularity peaked in 2021, ranking 721st in 2025 with 1 in 4,567 boys receiving the name, making it a rare but recognizable choice. The name has been falling in use since 2020, particularly in southern states like South Carolina, Mississippi, and Arkansas, where it has seen the highest usage. Cannon fits a modern trend of occupational and surname-inspired names.
Cannon is an English surname derived from the Old French 'canon', meaning a large gun or artillery piece. As a given name, it emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely drawing from the surname. It gained some popularity in the southern United States, often used for boys.
Where Cannon is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Can, Canny
Sibling names for Cannon
Names that share Cannon's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Cannon
Names whose popularity has moved with Cannon's over the last 50 years.
