"bear man, noble bear"
Origin: Celtic (Artos)
Language: English
Artis
Pronunciation: [ AHRT-ihs ]
Does Artis flow with your last name?
King Arthur's essence: the bear stripped to pure strength
American
African-American
Lithuanian
English
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Strong
Unique
Classic
Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"noble, virtuous"
Origin: Latin/Celtic
Language: English
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The Story of Artis
Artis is a distinctive variant of Arthur, whose origins trace to the Celtic 'artos' (bear) combined with the Latin 'vir' (man), producing 'bear man' or 'strong as a bear.' The name became legendary through King Arthur of Camelot, the mythical British king whose knights of the Round Table inspired centuries of literature. Artis strips the name to its essential core, creating a punchy, direct form that was particularly popular in the American South and among African-American communities in the early 20th century.
Artis was most common in the United States from the 1920s through the 1960s, particularly in the American South and in African-American communities. It carries a dignified, mid-century American character. NBA legend Artis Gilmore, who played in the 1970s-80s, kept the name visible in sports culture.
The Arthur/Artis name family carries the full weight of Arthurian legend — chivalry, the Holy Grail, Camelot, Excalibur, and the Round Table. These stories have been part of Western culture for over 800 years, representing ideals of justice, honor, and courage. Lithuania also has a tradition of the name Artis as a native variant.
Historical Record
Artis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,997 babies have been named Artis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Artis is past its peak , currently ranked #5,036 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Artis Gilmore played in the NBA and ABA from 1971-1988 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
- The name Arthur may derive from the Celtic 'artos' (bear), making Arthur/Artis literally mean 'bear man'
- Artis is the standard form of Arthur in the Lithuanian language
Artis in Other Languages
Latin
Arturus
Welsh
Arthur
Celtic
Artos
French
Artus
Spanish
Arturo
Lithuanian
Artis
Popularity Over Time
#5,036
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Artis
A
Artis Gilmore
Athlete
1949
American professional basketball player who played in both the ABA and NBA; inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketba...
American professional basketball player who played in both the ABA and NBA; inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
K
King Arthur Fictional
Other
Legendary British king and central figure of Arthurian mythology, known for Camelot, the Round Table, and the quest for ...
Legendary British king and central figure of Arthurian mythology, known for Camelot, the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail
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Compare Artis with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,036
- Total SSA Count
- 20
- Cultural Origins
- American African-American Lithuanian English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Art
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 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
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Artis
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Artis
Phonetic neighbors that share Artis's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Artis is also used as a girl name, ranked #19487.
View Artis as a girl name →Similar Names
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German/Yiddish origin
"knife, cutler"
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Germanic origin
"resolute, bright"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Artis
What does the name Artis mean?
"bear man, noble bear" (from Celtic (Artos)). "noble, virtuous" (from Latin/Celtic). Artis is a distinctive variant of Arthur, whose origins trace to the Celtic 'artos' (bear) combined with the Latin 'vir' (man), producing 'bear man' or 'strong as a bear.' The name became legendary through King Arthur of Camelot, the mythical British king whose knights of the Round Table inspired centuries of literature. Artis strips the name to its essential core, creating a punchy, direct form that was particularly popular in the American South and among African-American communities in the early 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Artis?
Artis has Celtic (Artos), Latin/Celtic, American, African-American, Lithuanian, and English origins. In Celtic (Artos), it means "bear man, noble bear". In Latin/Celtic, it means "noble, virtuous".
Is Artis a boy or girl name?
Artis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5036. As a girl name, it is ranked #19487. Artis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Artis?
Artis is pronounced AHRT-ihs.
How popular is the name Artis?
Artis is currently ranked #5036 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Artis?
Common nicknames for Artis include Art.
What are good middle names for Artis?
Popular middle name pairings include Artis James, Artis Lee, Artis Ray, Artis Wayne, Artis Dean, and Artis Cole.
What are good sibling names for Artis?
Names that pair well with Artis as siblings include Otis, Curtis, Doris, Arlene, Morris, and Norris.
How many syllables does Artis have?
Artis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Artis a common or rare name?
Artis is an uncommon name, ranked #5036 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Artis?
Are there other spellings for Artis?
Related spellings include Artist.
About the Name Artis
Artis is a boy name with American, African-American, Lithuanian, and English origins . The name means "bear man, noble bear" in Celtic (Artos) .
Is Artis a boy or girl name? Artis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,036 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #19,487. Artis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Artis is currently ranked #5,036 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Artis has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHRT-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Artis include Art. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Artis include Artist . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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