Boy · 18th of 7,545
Arthur
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
548,057
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1921
Peak Popularity Year
10,579
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Arthur stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Arthur has Celtic origins, primarily meaning 'bear.' It evolved through various languages including Latin and Old French before becoming prevalent in Middle English. It is strongly associated with themes of nobility and heroism, particularly due to the legendary King Arthur. The name has no biblical relevance and gained popularity during the medieval period. Today, it is regarded as a classic name with a positive and noble image.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɑːrθər/
Origin
Celtic
Etymology
The name Arthur is often linked to the Celtic word 'artos,' meaning 'bear.' It may also derive from the Roman family name 'Artorius,' though this connection is debated.
Meaning
Bear
Language Evolution
Artorius (Latin), Arthurus (Old French), Arthur (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Arthur gained popularity in the medieval period, particularly due to the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, which became prominent in literature during the 12th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Art, Artie, Arty, Arthuro
Modern Popularity & Image
Arthur is viewed as a classic and noble name, often associated with chivalry and leadership due to the legendary figure of King Arthur.
Famous People
King Arthur (legendary figure), Arthur Conan Doyle (author), Arthur Miller (playwright), Arthur Ashe (tennis player)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 10,579 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 18th of 7545 | 160,796 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 28th of 6773 | 128,196 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 59th of 7552 | 119,441 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 117th of 10718 | 40,672 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 199th of 16616 | 23,926 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 348th of 24088 | 13,658 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 200th of 23106 | 23,786 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1006th of 9107 | 935 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1013th of 9204 | 959 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1930th of 12526 | 595 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3113th of 19264 | 356 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6782nd of 27321 | 178 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 24576th of 30306 | 12 |