Arthur is a popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #68 in 2011 with 961 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2019 with 4,211 births ranking #4. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 645.0%. In 2011, approximately 1 in every 360 boys born was named Arthur. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Arthur is a major traditional name with a noble, literary feel, but its exact original meaning is uncertain. It is often connected with the idea of a bear, though the deeper etymology is debated.
The name is inseparable from the legendary King Arthur and the long medieval tradition around him. That story helped make Arthur one of the most enduring heroic names in Britain and beyond.