A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Art since 1880
Babies named Art per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1961, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Art's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 98 |
| 1890s | 110 |
| 1900s | 106 |
| 1910s | 304 |
| 1920s | 495 |
| 1930s | 743 |
| 1940s | 1,050 |
| 1950s | 875 |
| 1960s | 1,123 |
| 1970s | 304 |
| 1980s | 238 |
| 1990s | 191 |
| 2000s | 135 |
| 2010s | 191 |
| 2020s | 178 |
Meaning & origin
Art has been in use as a given name since at least 1880, the earliest year recorded in the Social Security Administration's database. Its peak popularity came in 1881, the year after records began. After decades of decline, the name has been rising in usage since 2004. In recent years, Art has been most common in Texas and California. While it originated as a nickname for Arthur, Art has long been used as an independent name, offering a short, punchy alternative for parents seeking a retro-sounding choice.
Art is a common diminutive of Arthur, a name with debated origins. The most widely accepted theory links Arthur to the Welsh word 'arth' meaning 'bear', possibly combined with a suffix meaning 'man'. The name gained legendary status through the Arthurian tales. As an independent given name, Art rose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often used to honor a father or grandfather named Arthur.
Where Art is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Art” around the world
Where Art lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
12
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Art
Names that share Art's style, for a brother or sister.
