Holding steady.
Popularity of Arbutus since 1906
Babies named Arbutus per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 18 |
| 1910s | 228 |
| 1920s | 385 |
| 1930s | 267 |
| 1940s | 141 |
| 1950s | 31 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Arbutus is a botanical name inspired by the genus of evergreen shrubs and trees, including the strawberry tree. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1906, reflecting the early 20th-century fashion for plant and flower names. Its peak came in 1927, when it ranked among the more distinctive nature-inspired choices. Since then, the name has remained stable but exceedingly rare, with only a handful of occurrences in recent years. Arbutus has no strong geographic concentration, as it was never common enough to register in top state lists. While it never achieved widespread usage, it offers a unique alternative to more common flower names like Rose or Lily. With its connection to the delicate arbutus plant, it evokes a sense of natural beauty and rarity.
Arbutus is a botanical name taken directly from the Latin genus name for the strawberry tree and related species. It entered use as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, part of the fashion for plant and flower names. It was most common in the United States during the 1920s, peaking in 1927, but has since become very rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Arbie, Arby, Arna
Sibling names for Arbutus
Names that share Arbutus's style, for a brother or sister.
