Arthur is a moderately popular boys' name in United States, ranking #155 in 2021 with 2,475 recorded births. This places Arthur in the top 1% of ranked US boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Moderately Popular. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 3,847 births ranking #87. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 145.5%. In 2021, approximately 1 in every 706 boys born was named Arthur. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
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.