"bear, bear-like strength"
Origin: Brythonic Celtic
Language: Welsh
Arthur
Pronunciation: [ AHRTH-er ]
Does Arthur flow with your last name?
A legendary king's name making a triumphant comeback
English
French
Welsh
British
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Classic
Literary
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Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Arthur
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Arthur
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Meaning & Origin
"stone"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Gaelic
"noble, strong"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Celtic
"bear-king, bear-man"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Welsh
"from the Artorius family"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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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.
Historical Record
Arthur first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 190,633 babies have been named Arthur in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arthur is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #105 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#105
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Arthur
A
Arthur Ashe
Athlete
1943
First Black man to win the US Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open, and a pioneering civil rights advocate
A
Arthur Conan Doyle
Writer
1859
Scottish writer and creator of Sherlock Holmes, one of the most famous fictional detectives in history
C
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
K
King Arthur Fictional
Royalty
Legendary British king who, according to medieval tradition, led the Knights of the Round Table at Camelot
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Compare Arthur with:
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
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Art
Artie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arthur
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Arthur is also used as a girl name, ranked #24392.
View Arthur as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arthur
What does the name Arthur mean?
"bear, bear-like strength" (from Brythonic Celtic). "stone" (from Irish Gaelic). "noble, strong" (from Celtic). "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, Irish Gaelic, Celtic, Latin, English, French, Welsh, and British origins. In Brythonic Celtic, it means "bear, bear-like strength". In Irish Gaelic, it means "stone". In Celtic, it means "noble, strong". 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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis