Arthur
A boys’ name of Celtic origin, meaning bear; the legendary king.
How Arthur has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #292 |
| 2016 | #273 |
| 2017 | #245 |
| 2018 | #230 |
| 2019 | #177 |
| 2020 | #163 |
| 2021 | #155 |
| 2022 | #140 |
| 2023 | #128 |
| 2024 | #105 |
| 2025 | #87 |
Arthur by the numbers
In 2025, 3,211 babies in England and Wales were named Arthur. In the US, 1,503 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given far more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 10,527 babies in 1921, so it is a 1920s name that has since fallen a long way.
At its height, in 1880, about 1 in 74 American boys born that year was called Arthur.
Names that come from Arthur
Forms of Arthur in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Artienoble; a form of Arthur or Artemis41 in England and Wales (2025)
- Artnoble, noble bear; diminutive of Arthur12 in England and Wales (2025)
- Macarthurson of Arthur18 in the US (2017)
- Arthur-Jamesbear noble; combination of Arthur and James12 in England and Wales (2025)
- Artheagle; a diminutive of Arthur9 in England and Wales (2025)
- Arthur-Johnbear; a form of Arthur with John9 in England and Wales (2025)
- Artynoble bear; diminutive of Arthur4 in England and Wales (2025)
- Arthur-Jaynoble bear; compound of Arthur and Jay3 in England and Wales (2025)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Arthur. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Arturbear; a form of Arthur25 in England and Wales (2025)
- Arthernoble bear; a spelling variant of Arthur
- Archerbowman, one who shoots arrows354 in England and Wales (2025)
- Arturobear; strong warrior; spanish form of arthur475 in the US (2017)
- Ashurchief deity of assyria32 in the US (2017)
- Aetherupper air; the bright upper atmosphere7 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a bear
Like Arthur, each of these has a bear in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Barrettstrength of a bear1,633 in the US (2017)
- Atlasto bear, endure; the Titan355 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bjornbear70 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bearthe animal bear; animal name used as given name117 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bernardbrave bear; strong as a bear42 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bernardobrave bear; a form of Bernard125 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a king or ruler
Like Arthur, each of these has a king or ruler in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Henryruler of the home2,295 in England and Wales (2025)
- Averyruler of the elves10,365 in the US (2017)
- Ryanlittle king; descendent of rian8,422 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
- Reaganlittle king3,211 in the US (2017)
- Kingstonking's settlement or town3,047 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Arthur
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