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Artis

Pronunciation: [ AHRT-ihs ]

Boy Name #5,036 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

King Arthur's essence: the bear stripped to pure strength

American African-American Lithuanian English
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Meaning & Origin

"bear man, noble bear"
Origin: Celtic (Artos)
Language: English
"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.

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

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

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

Artist #1859

Common Nicknames

Art

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Otis Curtis Doris Arlene Morris Norris

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Also a Girl Name

Artis is also used as a girl name, ranked #19487.

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Similar Names

Art Boy Celtic (artos) Travis Boy Old French Archer Boy Old English Author Boy Latin Mathis Boy Hebrew Cletus Boy Greek Arturo Boy Celtic Artemus Boy Greek

Compare Artis with...

Artis vs Art Artis vs Travis Artis vs Archer Artis vs Author

Same Origin Names (American)

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Playground Safety

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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.

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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