Arthur is a male given name of Celtic origin, meaning "bear". It became popular in England in the Middle Ages due to the legendary King Arthur, who according to folklore, led the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. The name has since been widely used throughout the English-speaking world and has been borne by numerous notable individuals, including Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, and Arthur Miller, the American playwright.
Arthur rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Arthur
Art | ɑrt | A shortened version of Arthur. |
Artie | ɑrti | A diminutive of Arthur, often used for children. |
Arty | ɑrti | A variant of Artie, also a shortened version of Arthur. |
Ari | ɑri | A modern nickname for Arthur. |
Athur | æθər | A unique and creative variation of Arthur. |
Arturo | ɑrturoʊ | A Spanish version of Arthur. |
Artie-pie | ɑrti paɪ | A cute and affectionate nickname for Arthur. |
Archie | ɑrʧi | A Scottish nickname for Arthur, meaning "genuine" or "bold". |
Famous people named Arthur
Arthur Conan Doyle | writing | famous for creating the character Sherlock Holmes and writing many detective novels |
Arthur Ashe | tennis | famous American tennis player, the first black man to win singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open |
Arthur Miller | writing | famous American playwright, known for works such as Death of a Salesman and The Crucible |
Arthur Schopenhauer | philosophy | famous German philosopher, known for his work on metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics |
Arthur Rubinstein | music | famous Polish-American classical pianist, widely considered as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century |
Arthur C. Clarke | writing | famous British science fiction writer, known for his works such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Rendezvous with Rama |
Arthur Rimbaud | poetry | famous French poet, known for his innovative style and his influence on modern poetry |
Arthur Blank | business | famous American businessman, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons |
Arthur Laurents | writing | famous American playwright and screenwriter, known for his work on West Side Story and Gypsy |
Arthur Fiedler | music | famous American conductor, best known for his work with the Boston Pops Orchestra |
Fictional character called Arthur from pop culture
Arthur Dent | The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | Protagonist of the comedic science fiction series, travels through space and time with his friend Ford Prefect. |
Arthur Curry | Aquaman | DC Comics superhero, king of the underwater city of Atlantis. |
Arthur Morgan | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Protagonist of the popular action-adventure game, member of the Van der Linde gang. |
Arthur Fleck | Joker | Antagonist of the 2019 film, a failed comedian who turns to a life of crime and chaos. |
Arthur Weasley | Harry Potter | Father of the Weasley family and member of the Order of the Phoenix in the popular book and film series. |
Arthur Spooner | The King of Queens | Father-in-law of the main character, Doug, in the sitcom about a couple living in Queens, New York. |
Arthur Mitchell | Dexter | Antagonist in the television series about a serial killer who works for the Miami Metro Police Department. |
Arthur Pendragon | King Arthur | Legendary king of Camelot in Arthurian mythology. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Arthur
What is the origin of the name Arthur? | The name Arthur is of Celtic origin, meaning 'bear'. |
Is Arthur a popular name? | Arthur was a popular name in the early 1900s, but its popularity declined in the mid-20th century. However, it has seen a recent resurgence in popularity. |
What are some famous people named Arthur? | Famous people named Arthur include Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes series, Arthur Ashe, a professional tennis player, and Arthur Miller, a playwright. |
What is the meaning behind the name Arthur? | The name Arthur means 'bear' in Celtic, and is often associated with strength and courage. |
Is Arthur a common name for boys or girls? | Arthur is traditionally a masculine name, but has occasionally been used for girls as well. |
What are some popular nicknames for Arthur? | Popular nicknames for Arthur include Art, Artie, and Arturo. |
What is the most common spelling of the name Arthur? | The most common spelling of the name Arthur is with a 'th', although some variations include Arther or Artur. |