Declining since 2017, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Macarthur since 1941
Babies named Macarthur per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 357 |
| 1950s | 131 |
| 1960s | 148 |
| 1970s | 151 |
| 1980s | 110 |
| 1990s | 110 |
| 2000s | 98 |
| 2010s | 129 |
| 2020s | 57 |
Meaning & origin
Macarthur is a Scottish patronymic surname that was adopted as a given name in the United States during the 1940s, almost entirely due to the military fame of General Douglas MacArthur. First recorded in 1941, the name reached its peak rank of 10695 in 1942 with a 1-in-284679 frequency, then declined steadily. Its trajectory has been falling since 2017, and it remains rare. The name has never attained widespread usage; top states are minimal, reflecting its niche status. Macarthur carries a strong, historically charged feel, unusual among modern given names.
Macarthur is a Scottish patronymic surname meaning 'son of Arthur'. It was adopted as a given name almost exclusively in the United States during the mid-20th century, spurred by the fame of General Douglas MacArthur, who served in World War II and the Korean War. The name saw a sharp peak in use around 1942 before declining steadily.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mac, Art, Arth
Sibling names for Macarthur
Names that share Macarthur's style, for a brother or sister.
