Arthur

“Possibly 'bear' (etymology disputed)” — Welsh (Celtic) origin

Boy's name · #87 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Arthur holds its lane: charted since 1880 and rarely far from where it stands today (#87 in 2025). About 549,000 boys have carried it along the way. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records. Arthur's short forms are Art, Artie, and Arty.

Around the world: #2 in Belgium (2025) · #4 in Brazil (2025) · #5 in England & Wales (2025) · #7 in France (2025) · #9 in N. Ireland (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 51 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Arthurs

Arthur Conan Doyle — British writer and physician (1859–1930)
Arthur Schopenhauer — German philosopher (1788-1860)
Arthur Rimbaud — French poet (1854-1891)
Arthur C. Clarke — British science fiction writer, inventor, and futurist (1917–2008)
Arthur Miller — American playwright and essayist (1915–2005)

In stories & tradition

King Arthur — The History of the Kings of Britain · Le Morte d'Arthur
Arthur (Aquaman) — Smallville · Justice League Unlimited
Arthur (Bill Weasley) — Harry Potter

What Arthurs become

Among 10,320 notable people named Arthur:

Military figures appear 2.23× more often than among typical names — e.g. Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, British Field Marshal, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1828–1830, 1834 (1769-1852).

Similar names: Arturo · Oscar · Harvey · Warren · Clyde · Roy

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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