At the time, Mystery Landing, on the banks of the De Grey itself, was used by settlers to unload and load livestock, passengers and goods from ships.
While Port Hedland had similar origins, as a natural harbour and pearling base, the denser mangroves in that area initially restricted its use.
Similar place names nearby, possibly derived from an Indigenous Australian language, include Condina Bore and Condini Landing.
Another popular theory suggests that it originated as a misspelling of the surname of Daniel Congdon, who was active in the area as a mariner and pearler.
During the 1880s, the pearling fleet itself shifted from Condon to the newly founded port of Broome about 525 km (325 mi) north east.