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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Possibly 'bear' (etymology disputed)
- Origin
- Celtic (Welsh), disputed — possibly a Latinized Romano-British name
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- AR-thur
Arthur (pronounced AR-thur) carries a bold, vintage feel — it's a Celtic name, specifically Welsh, though its exact origins are disputed and some scholars trace it to a Latinized Romano-British name instead. You may have heard Arthur means 'noble' and 'courageous,' but that's a popular claim rather than a settled fact — the name's meaning is genuinely uncertain, with 'bear' being one disputed possibility rather than a confirmed one. If you're drawn to a name with history but no tidy, guaranteed meaning, Arthur fits that spot.
Meaning & Origin of Arthur
Meaning: Possibly 'bear' (etymology disputed).
Origin: Celtic (Welsh), disputed — possibly a Latinized Romano-British name.
A common claim: Arthur is widely believed to mean 'noble' and 'courageous', or alternatively 'bear' (from Welsh arth). Actually: Arthur's etymology is disputed and uncertain; 'noble, courageous' matches none of the leading scholarly theories and looks like a popular interpretation rather than an attested meaning.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Arthur
AR-thurIPA /ˈɑːrθər/
Popularity of Arthur
Arthur hit its peak popularity in 1880, ranking #14 with 1,599 baby boys given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled to #105, though it was actually given to more boys in absolute terms — 3,318 — reflecting how much larger the overall naming pool has grown since.
Names Like Arthur
These names share Arthur’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Arthur mean?
Possibly ‘bear’ (etymology disputed). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Arthur?
Arthur is pronounced AR-thur (IPA: /ˈɑːrθər/).
Is Arthur a popular name right now?
Arthur peaked at #14 in 1880 and is ranked #105 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Arthur Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Arthur, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Arthur? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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