Arthur

Pronunciation: [ AHRTH-er ]

Boy Name #105 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A legendary king's name making a triumphant comeback

English French Welsh British

Royal Classic Literary Vintage Strong

Meaning & Origin

"bear, bear-like strength"

Origin: Brythonic Celtic

Language: Welsh

"noble, strong"

Origin: Celtic

Language: Celtic

"stone"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Gaelic

"bear-king, bear-man"

Origin: Celtic

Language: Welsh

"from the Artorius family"

Origin: Latin

Language: Latin

The Story of Arthur

Arthur is one of the most ancient and debated names in the British tradition. It likely derives from the Celtic elements 'artos' (bear) combined with 'viros' (man) or 'rigos' (king), giving interpretations like 'bear-man' or 'bear-king.' The name became immortalized through the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, which emerged from Welsh and French medieval traditions.

Arthur was enormously popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, then declined through the mid-20th century, and has staged a dramatic comeback since the 2010s. Royal families in Belgium, Sweden, and the UK have chosen Arthur for their children, fueling its aristocratic revival.

Few names carry the mythological weight of Arthur. The Arthurian legend, spanning from Welsh bardic tradition through Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur' to Tennyson's 'Idylls of the King,' represents the pinnacle of chivalric idealism in Western culture.

Fun Facts

King Arthur is arguably the most written-about king in Western literary tradition, appearing in thousands of works across 1,500 years
Arthur was the most popular name in England and Wales in 2021, its highest ranking in a century
The name appears in the oldest Welsh poem cycle, the Mabinogion, dating to before the 11th century

Arthur in Other Languages

Welsh Arthur

French Arthur

German Artus

Italian Arturo

Spanish Arturo

Portuguese Artur

Famous People Named Arthur

Arthur Ashe

Athlete

1943

First Black man to win the US Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open, and a pioneering civil rights advocate

Arthur Conan Doyle

Writer

1859

Scottish writer and creator of Sherlock Holmes, one of the most famous fictional detectives in history

Chester A. Arthur

Politician

1829

21st President of the United States, known for signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act which modernized the feder...

21st President of the United States, known for signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act which modernized the federal civil service

King Arthur Fictional

Royalty

Legendary British king who, according to medieval tradition, led the Knights of the Round Table at Camelot

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #105
Total SSA Count: 3,318
Cultural Origins: English French Welsh British
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Art Artie

Pairs Well With

Arthur James Arthur William Arthur Henry Arthur Frederick Arthur George Arthur Edmund Arthur Lewis

Sibling Names

Theodore Edmund Cecily Rosalind Frederick Beatrice Harold

Also a Girl Name

Arthur is also used as a girl name, ranked #24392.

View Arthur as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Arthur

What does the name Arthur mean?

"bear, bear-like strength" (from Brythonic Celtic). "noble, strong" (from Celtic). "stone" (from Irish Gaelic). "bear-king, bear-man" (from Celtic). "from the Artorius family" (from Latin). Arthur is one of the most ancient and debated names in the British tradition. It likely derives from the Celtic elements 'artos' (bear) combined with 'viros' (man) or 'rigos' (king), giving interpretations like 'bear-man' or 'bear-king.' The name became immortalized through the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, which emerged from Welsh and French medieval traditions.

What is the origin of the name Arthur?

Arthur has Brythonic Celtic, Celtic, Irish Gaelic, Latin, English, French, Welsh, and British origins. In Brythonic Celtic, it means "bear, bear-like strength". In Celtic, it means "noble, strong". In Irish Gaelic, it means "stone". In Celtic, it means "bear-king, bear-man". In Latin, it means "from the Artorius family".

Is Arthur a boy or girl name?

Arthur is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #105. As a girl name, it is ranked #24392. Arthur is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Arthur?

Arthur is pronounced AHRTH-er.

How popular is the name Arthur?

Arthur is currently ranked #105 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Arthur?

Common nicknames for Arthur include Art and Artie.

What are good middle names for Arthur?

Popular middle name pairings include Arthur James, Arthur William, Arthur Henry, Arthur Frederick, Arthur George, Arthur Edmund, and Arthur Lewis.

What are good sibling names for Arthur?

Names that pair well with Arthur as siblings include Theodore, Edmund, Cecily, Rosalind, Frederick, Beatrice, and Harold.

How many syllables does Arthur have?

Arthur has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Arthur a common or rare name?

Arthur is a popular name, ranked #105 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Arthur

Arthur is a boy name with English, French, Welsh, and British origins . The name means "bear, bear-like strength" in Brythonic Celtic .

Is Arthur a boy or girl name? Arthur is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #105 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #24,392. Arthur is more commonly used as a boy name.

Arthur is currently ranked #105 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Arthur has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHRTH-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Arthur include Art and Artie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.