The nameArthur
Arthur is a boy's name of Celtic origin, the name of the legendary king of the Round Table. It has been a top 5 name in England and Wales in recent years.
- Boy's name
- Celtic or Latin
Meaning
The origin of Arthur is discussed. It is often linked to the Celtic artos, "bear", or to the Roman family name Artorius.
Origin
Celtic or Latin. King Arthur, leader of the Knights of the Round Table, appears in Welsh tales and in medieval romances.
History
The Arthurian legends made the name famous throughout Europe. It was very popular in Victorian Britain, then faded and came back strongly in the 2010s, reaching the top 5 in England and Wales. It is also a leading name in France.
Arthur in other languages
Arthur is spelled the same in French, German and the Nordic countries. It is Arturo in Italian and Spanish, Artur in Portuguese, Catalan, Polish and Russian, and Artúr in Hungarian.
Nicknames for Arthur
The most common nicknames for Arthur: Art and Artie.
Did you know?
- Arthur Conan Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes in 1893, then brought him back ten years later after readers protested.
- In 1975 Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon.
- In Belgium, Arthur was the most popular boys' name every year from 2018 to 2020.
Famous people named Arthur
- King Arthur, legendary king
- Arthur Conan Doyle, writer
- Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
- Arthur Ashe, tennis player
Popularity of the name Arthur
Arthur in the United States
Arthur was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 97,818 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Arthur. Half of all babies named Arthur in the United States were born before 1938, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 2,731 births a year on average, against 1,591 in the five years before.
Arthur in the United Kingdom
Arthur was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 22,748 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Arthur. Its rise began around 2006, and it peaked in 2019. Half of all babies named Arthur in the United Kingdom were born before 2019, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 3,697 births a year.
Arthur in Ireland
Arthur in France
Arthur in Belgium
Arthur in Switzerland
Arthur in Austria
Arthur in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Arthur
Names from the same generation as Arthur, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Arthur? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Arthur with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Arthur side by side with the name of your choice.
Arthur in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Arthur mean?
The origin of Arthur is discussed. It is often linked to the Celtic artos, "bear", or to the Roman family name Artorius.
What is the origin of the name Arthur?
Celtic or Latin. King Arthur, leader of the Knights of the Round Table, appears in Welsh tales and in medieval romances.
Is Arthur a girl's or a boy's name?
Arthur is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Arthur?
In 2024, Arthur was the 105th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 3,318 births.
What are the variants of the name Arthur?
Variants and related names of Arthur include Artur.
What are good sibling names for Arthur?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Iris, Leilani, Josie and Catalina for a sister, Myles, Lorenzo, Leon and Rory for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Arthur?
The most common nicknames for Arthur are Art and Artie.
Who are famous people named Arthur?
King Arthur, legendary king; Arthur Conan Doyle, writer; Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington; Arthur Ashe, tennis player.