Arthur
AR-ther /ˈɑːr.θər/
Meaning of Arthur
Arthur's etymology is genuinely disputed. The leading Celtic view derives it from the Brythonic artos ('bear'), possibly combined with a second element meaning 'king' or 'man.' An alternative traces it to the Roman family name Artorius (of uncertain Etruscan origin). King Arthur — the legendary British warrior king of medieval romance — gave the name its permanent place in English culture; it has been in continuous use since at least the 12th century.
Current popularity of Arthur
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #165 |
| United Kingdom (ONS) | 2024 | #5 |
| France (INSEE) | 2024 | #3 |
Cultural notes
Prince Arthur of Wales (son of King Charles III) drove a measurable UK spike in registry data following his birth, similar to the Charlotte and Louis effects.
Notable bearers of Arthur
King Arthur (Arthurian legend); Arthur Conan Doyle; Arthur Miller (playwright).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Arthur — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
- https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/babynamesenglandandwalesbabynamesstatisticsgirls
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31