Arthur
/AR-thər/
Arthur is a boy name of Celtic origin, meaning Uncertain; possibly "bear.
- GenderBoy
- OriginCeltic
- StyleClassic
- Syllables2
- US rank#162
What does Arthur mean?
Uncertain; possibly "bear
The etymology of Arthur is genuinely unresolved. The leading candidates are the Celtic artos, "bear", possibly compounded with a word for king or man, and the Roman family name Artorius. Neither can be proved, and the name may be a Brittonic form influenced by both.
The story behind the name
Whether a historical Arthur existed is one of the durable arguments of early medieval history. The earliest references cast him as a war leader against the Saxons rather than a king. Geoffrey of Monmouth's twelfth-century history turned him into an emperor, and the French romances added Camelot, Lancelot and the Grail.
The name became fashionable in Britain in the nineteenth century, boosted by the Duke of Wellington, by Tennyson's Idylls of the King, and by Queen Victoria naming a son Arthur.
After a long twentieth-century absence Arthur is now one of the fastest-rising names in France, Brazil and the United Kingdom, and it has begun climbing in the United States as well.
Notable people named Arthur
- King Arthur, legendary British ruler
- Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
- Arthur Conan Doyle, writer
- Arthur Ashe, tennis champion
How popular is Arthur?
Popularity in the United States
Arthur has been given to 536,669 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 1920s. It has held a steady level of use since.
About 1 in 712 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.
Popularity in France
Arthur has been given to 132,442 babies in France since 1900, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
Popularity in Spain
There are 697 people called Arthur living in Spain, with an average age of 23.2.
Variants and related names
Other spellings: Artur, Arturo, Artair
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Start swiping - it's freeFrequently asked questions about Arthur
What does the name Arthur mean?
Arthur means Uncertain; possibly "bear. It is of Celtic origin.
Is Arthur a boy's or a girl's name?
Arthur is most often given to boys.
How do you pronounce Arthur?
Arthur is pronounced AR-thər.
How popular is the name Arthur?
Arthur has been given to 536,669 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 1920s. It has held a steady level of use since.
What are other spellings of Arthur?
Common variants include Artur, Arturo, Artair.