Arthur Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Arthur is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Arthur?
Arthur is spelled A-R-T-H-U-R. The name has 6 letters.
Arthur at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Arthur is commonly understood to mean “bear” or “bear king”, potentially derived from Celtic or Latin elements.
- Origin
- Arthur is a name of uncertain origin that may derive from Celtic elements, Latin, or a combination of both, with possible roots in the Welsh and Breton…
- Pronunciation
- AR-thur · 2 syllables
Arthur Popularity in 2025
Rank#87
Recorded Births3,847
- Boys usage rose 18 places to #87 and recorded 513 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Arthur Mean?
Arthur is commonly understood to mean “bear” or “bear king”, potentially derived from Celtic or Latin elements.
Origin: Arthur is a name of uncertain origin that may derive from Celtic elements, Latin, or a combination of both, with possible roots in the Welsh and Breton languages.
How Do You Pronounce Arthur?
PronunciationAR-thur
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Arthur?
- History
- The name Arthur is historically associated with medieval British legends, especially King Arthur, who appears in early Welsh literature and later medieval romances. Its use as a given name has persisted into modern times.
Arthur Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2004 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 3,847 | #87 |
| 2024 | Girls | 7 | #12,161 |
| 2024 | Boys | 3,334 | #105 |
| 2023 | Boys | 2,832 | #130 |
| 2022 | Boys | 2,691 | #140 |
| 2021 | Boys | 2,477 | #154 |
| 2020 | Boys | 2,338 | #163 |
| 2019 | Boys | 2,193 | #177 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,653 | #229 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,514 | #245 |
| 2016 | Girls | 5 | #16,215 |
| 2016 | Boys | 1,345 | #273 |
| 2015 | Boys | 1,247 | #292 |
| 2014 | Boys | 1,153 | #306 |
| 2013 | Boys | 1,034 | #321 |
| 2012 | Boys | 865 | #355 |
| 2011 | Boys | 893 | #339 |
| 2010 | Boys | 730 | #388 |
| 2009 | Boys | 812 | #374 |
| 2008 | Boys | 862 | #363 |
| 2007 | Boys | 819 | #375 |
| 2006 | Boys | 793 | #377 |
| 2005 | Boys | 830 | #356 |
| 2004 | Boys | 792 | #355 |
When Was Arthur Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1921 · Boys
10,527 recorded births
National rank #19
1920 · Boys
10,236 recorded births
National rank #18
1924 · Boys
10,172 recorded births
National rank #20
1922 · Boys
10,114 recorded births
National rank #19
Where Arthur Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| VT | #21 | 14 |
| DC | #25 | 22 |
| WA | #34 | 154 |
| ME | #35 | 28 |
| MT | #38 | 24 |
| WI | #41 | 109 |
| AK | #41 | 15 |
| MN | #46 | 102 |