Arthur vs Nicholas

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Arthur

Boy #105 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bear, bear-like strength"

Origin: Brythonic Celtic

Cultural Roots

English French Welsh British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#105
Total SSA Count
3,318
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Art, Artie

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Arthur' can be twisted to 'fart'"}

Nicholas

Boy #117 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"people's champion, victorious"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek French Italian Russian German Dutch

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#117
Total SSA Count
3,025
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Nick, Nicky, Nico

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Popularity Comparison

Arthur Rank #105
Nicholas Rank #117

Arthur is more popular, ranked #105 vs #117 for Nicholas.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Arthur ___

  • Arthur James
  • Arthur William
  • Arthur Henry
  • Arthur Frederick
  • Arthur George
  • Arthur Edmund

Nicholas ___

  • Nicholas James
  • Nicholas Alexander
  • Nicholas Thomas
  • Nicholas William
  • Nicholas Robert
  • Nicholas Edward

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Arthur

Theodore Edmund Cecily Rosalind Frederick

If you choose Nicholas

Alexander Sebastian Charlotte Sophia Natalie

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arthur or Nicholas more popular?

Arthur is more popular, ranked #105 compared to Nicholas at #117 in the United States.

What do Arthur and Nicholas mean?

Arthur means "bear, bear-like strength" (Brythonic Celtic origin). Nicholas means "people's champion, victorious" (Greek origin).

Are Arthur and Nicholas boy or girl names?

Arthur is primarily a boy name. Nicholas is primarily a boy name.

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