A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Arthur since 1880
Babies named Arthur per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Arthur's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 16,180 |
| 1890s | 16,349 |
| 1900s | 15,409 |
| 1910s | 67,478 |
| 1920s | 97,112 |
| 1930s | 67,730 |
| 1940s | 73,968 |
| 1950s | 65,716 |
| 1960s | 39,622 |
| 1970s | 22,100 |
| 1980s | 16,794 |
| 1990s | 11,783 |
| 2000s | 8,342 |
| 2010s | 12,627 |
| 2020s | 17,519 |
Meaning & origin
Arthur is a name with deep historical roots and a legendary resonance. In the United States, it currently holds the rank of 87th for the year 2025, a notable position that reflects its steady ascent since 2006. This marks a revival from its peak in the late 19th century, when it was most popular in 1881. Today, it appears in approximately 1 out of every 444 baby boys, underscoring its broad but not overwhelming appeal. The name's trajectory shows a consistent rise over nearly two decades, suggesting renewed appreciation for its traditional charm. Arthur's popularity is particularly concentrated in states like Vermont, the District of Columbia, and Maine, where it enjoys above-average usage. While it has never faded entirely, Arthur's current standing is a testament to its enduring strength and classic appeal in the modern era.
The name Arthur is of debated origin. The most widely accepted derivation is from the Roman family name Artorius, which itself may be of obscure Etruscan roots. Alternatively, it may come from the Welsh word 'arth' meaning 'bear,' combined with 'gwr' meaning 'man,' giving 'bear-man.' The name's fame stems from the legendary King Arthur, a central figure in medieval British romance and folklore. Its use has been sustained across centuries in part due to the enduring popularity of Arthurian legends, and it has been borne by notable historical figures including Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington.
Where Arthur 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.
“Arthur” around the world
Where Arthur lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#6
in 2024
Ireland
#57
in 2025
New Zealand
#11
in 2025
Quebec
#4
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#19
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Art, Artie
Sibling names for Arthur
Names that share Arthur's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Eleanor, Beatrice, Clara, Maeve, Lillian, Ada, Agnes, Alberta, Alice, Alma, Arabella, Bernice, Bertha, Betty, Blanche, Diana, Dorothy, Edith, Edna, Elaine, Elinor, Erma, Flora, Florence, Frances, Gertrude, Gladys, Harriett, Hattie, Helen, Ida, Imogene, Irene, Laurel, Louise, Lucille, Mabel, Margaret, Mavis, Mildred, Muriel, Myrtle, Nell, Opal, Rose, Sylvia, Wilma, Adele, Adella, Allene, Alline, Alyce, Annetta, Audry, Avis, Bertie, Blanch, Carrol, Celia, Clarice, Corine, Dortha, Dorthy, Edie, Edwina, Edythe, Eleanore, Elnora, Elouise, Ernestine, Ethel, Ethelyn, Eugenie, Evalyn, Flossie, Freda, Georgina, Gretta, Harriette, Hellen, Lenore, Lilian, Loretta, Lottie, Louella, Lucile, Luella, Mabelle, Madge, Maebelle, Maida, Margery, Margurite, Maud, Maude, Mozelle, Norine, Odessa, Pansy, Retta, Rheta, Rosella, Vera, Virgia, Winifred, Winslow, Zella, Zelma, Adelene, Albertha, Alease, Allean, Annice, Annis, Ardath, Ardelia, Arletha, Arlyn, Arvella, Aveline, Beatrix, Bell, Birtha, Celesta, Cicely, Cleda, Daisey, Delora, Dorotha, Dorthey, Dulcie, Elenor, Elenora, Elenore, Elinore, Elna, Elois, Elta, Elvina, Emeline, Emmer, Emogene, Erline, Estell, Ethelene, Ethyl, Evaline, Eveline, Florrie, Glinda, Grayce, Guinevere, Idell, Irine, Jennette, Lanora, Lelah, Lenna, Leonore, Lilla, Lilyan, Lorean, Louanna, Madlyn, Majorie, Margarite, Marinda, Maybell, Mazie, Merlyn, Myrtice, Phillis, Rosabelle, Roselle, Sibyl, Theadora, Tilda, Trudie, Vernelle, Vernia, Vilma, Virgina, Adalene, Adline, Agness, Aleda, Aleece, Aliene, Alleen, Alvia, Alyne, Ambre, Angla, Anice, Annella, Annora, Arva, Audery, Audre, Averil, Bernece, Birdia, Charlcie, Charle, Cinderella, Clarabell, Clary, Corabelle, Daphene, Deetta, Devera, Dorothe, Dorothey, Edrie, Eleonor, Ellice, Ellin, Ellinor, Ellouise, Elner, Elnor, Elsia, Elynor, Emiline, Ethelda, Etheleen, Etheline, Ethlyn, Etter, Evlyn, Florice, Florie, Francies, Geneve, Geraldyne, Glady, Gwenivere, Hazelle, Helyn, Idabelle, Idelle, Imojean, Jeannett, Jennetta, Jessye, Judyth, Laurell, Leanore, Lesta, Lilliam, Lillis, Lilyrose, Linna, Loura, Lular, Lyndia, Marget, Margorie, Margrette, Maybel, Maymie, Mertis, Mirtha, Morgana, Morley, Orlean, Pearla, Raymona, Rosabel, Rosalea, Rosalene, Rosalin, Rosemond, Rozelle, Rozena, Samella, Sylva, Tamsin, Valjean, Valrie, Virda, Zoelle, Aldena, Aleatha, Allice, Allis, Alyene, Aneita, Antha, Arthurine, Athalie, Bertice, Betha, Bryony, Cecilee, Ceclia, Clarabel, Claramae, Clariece, Cressie, Darcus, Edell, Editha, Edithe, Edwinna, Edyth, Elanore, Elcie, Elery, Elesa, Eletha, Elice, Ellamay, Ellan, Ellenora, Ellenore, Elmire, Ercell, Esley, Ethelmae, Ethelyne, Eutha, Evaleen, Floella, Florance, Floriene, Geniva, Gertrue, Gwendoline, Gwendolyne, Gwenevere, Hazell, Hyacinth, Imogean, Lenor, Liller, Lucyle, Lucylle, Mabell, Maebel, Mahaley, Marguarite, Margurette, Maryon, Mazelle, Merrit, Morine, Murial, Myrtha, Natha, Nicie, Paulyne, Rosamary, Rubyann, Thersa, Adlene, Eithel, Elzina, Francess, Glayds, Lilibet, Rosell, Silvie, Amabel, Armine, Arthella, Artina, Athalee, Athalene, Avenell, Avice, Beatric, Beatryce, Bessye, Bettey, Bitha, Breta, Dorothia, Doryce, Eddith, Edwyna, Emmogene, Erdine, Ermina, Ethell, Ezelle, Flornce, Freada, Genette, Gladie, Gladyes, Glorya, Guenevere, Idabell, Inice, Jenet, Lealer, Leanor, Lilias, Lillan, Lillar, Lillion, Luceil, Lurie, Madell, Madolin, Majel, Margree, Marjoria, Marrian, Marthella, Mercia, Merian, Merriel, Milderd, Morgane, Myldred, Nedda, Nel, Nelsie, Nimue, Olivene, Orabelle, Posy, Raymonda, Rether, Rosalynd, Rosamae, Rosemae, Ruthel, Ruthella, Ruthellen, Ruthia, Sinda, Sybel, Thursa, Tressia, Vicke, Wilba, Wilna
Brothers: Henry, Oliver, Theodore, George, Felix, Albert, Alfred, August, Bernard, Calvin, Charles, Chester, Clarence, Earnest, Edgar, Edmond, Edward, Edwin, Elton, Ernest, Frank, Franklin, Frederick, Harold, Harry, Herbert, Laurence, Lawrence, Lewis, Louis, Martin, Morris, Ralph, Raymond, Reginald, Rodger, Stanley, Vincent, Virgil, Wallace, Warren, Wilfred, Alden, Alford, Algie, Archibald, Bernie, Claud, Clement, Cornell, Crispin, Earle, Edmund, Ellwood, Elmo, Errol, Franklyn, Frederic, German, Gorge, Harmon, Lenard, Lionel, Merlin, Morton, Newton, Percy, Rollin, Seymour, Tedd, Theadore, Waldo, Walton, Warner, Westley, Wilber, Wilmer, Winfield, Winston, Abbott, Author, Benard, Burrell, Calvert, Clarance, Clearence, Clemon, Clive, Dorman, Fenton, Gorden, Lawerence, Linton, Mayer, Mercer, Neville, Oris, Osmar, Percival, Rexford, Richmond, Roswell, Rowland, Spurgeon, Wellington, Wendel, Albion, Alferd, Ancel, Arbie, Barnard, Barnie, Clarnce, Clearnce, Colbert, Ector, Eldrick, Elridge, Erving, Evertt, Fleming, Gerrard, Halbert, Hammond, Harrie, Harrold, Herald, Hervey, Hobson, Holmes, Homar, Ingram, Keene, Lancelot, Lawerance, Lawernce, Lear, Lennard, Linford, Manson, Marston, Murel, Pasco, Perley, Plummer, Pryor, Sewell, Squire, Stanly, Thedore, Tilmon, Welford, Weyman, Wilmot, York, Aubra, Autrey, Averill, Barnet, Benford, Clements, Emmert, Eugune, Eward, Gladstone, Goerge, Gurney, Huber, Kennet, Kennett, Needham, Orley, Selden, Stanely, Talbot, Telford, Vincient, Waldron, Wilver, Anothy, Haward, Herny, Olander, Alberth, Almus, Ambers, Arnol, Audwin, Bedford, Charlis, Clerance, Drury, Edker, Edman, Edwing, Elick, Evart, Harce, Julies, Loyed, Lyal, Meliodas, Moris, Orton, Ralphie, Raymound, Samiel, Stanlee, Thedford, Willet, Wyley
Names like Arthur
Names whose popularity has moved with Arthur's over the last 50 years.
