Arthur is a male given name of Germanic origin, derived from the elements "art" meaning "bear" and "harth" meaning "strong". The name Arthur was first popularized by the legendary King Arthur of British folklore. According to the tales, King Arthur was the ruler of Camelot who gathered a group of brave knights known as the Knights of the Round Table.
The most famous story about King Arthur is that he pulled the sword Excalibur from the stone, proving his worthiness to be the rightful king of England. This legendary tale has been retold in many different versions throughout history and has inspired numerous books, movies, and other forms of media.
The name Arthur became particularly popular during the Victorian era in England. It was also used by several notable figures throughout history, such as King Arthur III of Britain, who ruled from 539 to 560 AD, and Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, who was a prominent military leader during the Napoleonic Wars.
Despite its Germanic origins, the name Arthur has been widely adopted in many different cultures around the world. Today, it is still considered a classic and prestigious name for boys. While some people may associate the name with the legendary King Arthur, others simply appreciate its strong and powerful meaning. Overall, the name Arthur is rich in history and tradition, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a meaningful name for their son.
The statistics provided show the annual number of babies named Arthur born in the United States between 1912 and 2009. The name Arthur reached its peak popularity during the 1930s, with a high of 15 births recorded in 1932. However, it seems that the name's popularity began to decline after this time, with only five or six births per year being recorded between 1947 and 1963.
It is interesting to note that there was a brief resurgence in the popularity of the name Arthur during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with five births recorded in both 1989 and 1990. However, this increase in popularity was short-lived, as only one birth was recorded for the name Arthur in 2009.
Overall, these statistics suggest that while the name Arthur has had periods of relative popularity throughout the 20th century, it is not currently a particularly common name choice among new parents in the United States.