Art

At a Glance

Meaning

Bear, figuratively "champion"

Origin

Celtic (Irish)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

ARTListen

Art is a short, strong Irish name that means "bear," and by extension "champion." It's pronounced ART (/ɑːrt/), so there's no guesswork for relatives or teachers. You may see it listed as a form of Arthur with the meaning "noble strength," but that gloss belongs to Arthur, whose own origins are disputed; Art itself is simply "bear," thus "champion."

Meaning & Origin of Art

Meaning: Bear, figuratively "champion".

Origin: Celtic (Irish).

A common claim: Art (often as a form of Arthur) is said to mean "noble strength" Actually: "Noble strength" isn't Art's own meaning — it's a gloss sometimes attached to Arthur, whose etymology is separately disputed. Art itself is documented simply as "bear," thus "champion."

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Art

Popularity of Art

Art ranked #418 in 1881 (17 babies) and was given to 28 babies in 2024, when it ranked #3885. Across the records from 1880 to 2024, its peak came early and today it is a rare, uncommon pick.

Names Like Art

These names have followed a similar path to Art in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Amalie
• Celestia
• Champ
• Ferdinand
• Newton
• Cornelia

FAQ

What does the name Art mean?

Bear, figuratively “champion”. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Art?

Art is pronounced ART (IPA: /ɑːrt/).

Is Art a popular name right now?

Art peaked at #418 in 1881 and is ranked #3885 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Art Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Art, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.