Honour Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ON-er //ˈɒn.ər//
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: English: virtue of honor; Latin: dignity
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Honour derives from the Latin word "honor," which signifies esteem, respect, or dignity. This Latin term evolved into Old French as "onor," which was then adopted into Middle English as "honour." The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when French became the language of the English court and influenced the vernacular.
The spelling with a 'u' reflects the British English convention, while American English typically uses "honor." The name embodies a concept that has been valued across various cultures and epochs, symbolizing moral integrity and virtue. Historically, the concept of honour has been significant in various contexts, including chivalric codes during the Middle Ages, where it was associated with knights and their conduct.
The term appears in notable literary works, such as Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" in the 14th century, where honour is explored in relation to social status and personal virtue. Additionally, the name Honour can be linked to various saints and biblical figures, although it is not as commonly associated with specific individuals as some other names.
The notion of honour has also been pivotal in philosophical discussions, particularly during the Renaissance, when humanists emphasized the importance of personal virtue and reputation. Culturally, the name Honour resonates with themes of integrity and moral uprightness, often associated with noble character and ethical behavior.
It has been used in literature and art to evoke ideals of virtue and respect. The name's enduring significance can be seen in its occasional use as a given name, reflecting a desire to embody these qualities.
Related forms, such as the diminutive "Honnie," may also appear in familial or affectionate contexts, though the primary form remains Honour. Overall, the name encapsulates a rich historical and cultural legacy centered around the values of respect and dignity.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Honour, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Honour. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Honour was first seen in the United States in 1988.
Honour has ranked as high as #7038 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Honour has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Honour is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Honour was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Honour.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2024 | 25 | 11 | 14 |
| 2023 | 28 | 13 | 15 |
| 2022 | 36 | 19 | 17 |
| 2021 | 23 | 5 | 18 |
| 2020 | 21 | 6 | 15 |
| 2019 | 22 | 9 | 13 |
| 2018 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
| 2017 | 16 | 5 | 11 |
| 2016 | 33 | 11 | 22 |
| 2015 | 19 | 5 | 14 |
| 2014 | 18 | 5 | 13 |
| 2013 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2012 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2011 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2010 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
| 2009 | 19 | 5 | 14 |
| 2007 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2001 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1999 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1998 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1997 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1988 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Honour
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.