Arthur – Name Meaning
The name Arthur is a popular name of Celtic origin, meaning “bear” or “stone”. It is derived from the Latin word arturus, which means “bear-like” or “strong as a bear”. The name has been used in Britain since the Middle Ages and was popularized by the legendary King Arthur of Camelot.
History and Origin
The earliest known use of the name Arthur dates back to the 6th century when it was used as a given name for a Welsh prince. The name was also used by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his 12th century work Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain). In this work, he described the life and adventures of King Arthur, who became an iconic figure in British folklore.
The popularity of the name increased during the Middle Ages and it was adopted by many European countries. In France, it was spelled Artur or Artus; in Germany, it was Arnt; and in Spain, it was Arturo. By the 19th century, Arthur had become one of the most popular names in Britain.
Popularity
Arthur is still a very popular name today. According to Social Security Administration data, it is currently ranked as the #14 most popular baby boy’s name in the United States. It is also popular in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
Famous People Named Arthur
There are many famous people who have borne the name Arthur throughout history. These include:
- King Arthur – Legendary British king from medieval times
- Arthur Conan Doyle – Author of Sherlock Holmes stories
- Arthur Miller – American playwright
- Arthur Ashe – Professional tennis player
- Arthur Rubinstein – Polish-American pianist
