Arthur is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German elements "arth" meaning "bear" and "rīc" meaning "power" or "king". Therefore, Arthur means "strong as a bear", which was considered a symbol of strength and courage in ancient Germanic cultures.
The name Arthur has been popular throughout history, particularly in the British Isles. It gained significant notoriety during the Middle Ages through the legendary figure King Arthur, who was said to have ruled over Camelot, a kingdom of knights and chivalry. The tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, as recounted by authors such as Geoffrey of Monmouth and Thomas Malory, have inspired generations of people with their stories of bravery, honor, and loyalty.
In addition to its association with the legendary king, the name Arthur has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history. One famous example is King Arthur himself, who, according to some accounts, was a real historical figure rather than purely mythical. Other notable Arthurs include Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), the British military leader and statesman; Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008), the renowned science fiction author and futurist; and Arthur Miller (1915-2005), the influential American playwright.
Today, Arthur remains a popular choice for parents looking to give their children a classic and timeless name with a strong historical foundation. Despite its long history, however, it never fails to evoke images of courage, strength, and nobility, making it an enduring favorite among many cultures around the world.
The name Arthur has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century, with a significant increase in usage in recent years.
From 1880 to 1906, the number of births named Arthur fluctuated between approximately 1300 and 2000 per year. The highest point during this period was in 1896, with 1821 births. However, starting from 1907, the popularity of the name Arthur began to rise significantly.
Between 1907 and 1923, the number of births named Arthur increased steadily, reaching a peak of over 10,000 in 1920 with 10,236 births. This trend continued throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, despite a slight dip during the Great Depression.
In the following decades, although the popularity of the name Arthur declined somewhat, it remained relatively stable, with an average of around 5000-7000 births per year between 1940 and 1980.
Starting in the late 1980s, there was a notable resurgence in the popularity of the name Arthur. From 1988 to 2023, the number of births named Arthur increased significantly, with several peaks occurring in recent years. For instance, in 2022, there were 2687 births named Arthur, and in 2023, this number rose to 2823.
Overall, since the year 1880 until 2023, a total of 541516 babies born in the United States have been named Arthur. This demonstrates that the name Arthur has maintained consistent popularity over time and has experienced renewed interest in recent years.