The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Arthur!

Comments and insights on the name Arthur: | Edit

I think this is a very sweet, gentle and friendly-sounding name. I also love how Artie and Art can be nicknames for it. Gorgeous!

One of the possible derivations is from the Briton word art meaning bear.

Personal experiences with the name Arthur: | Edit

My maternal grandfather is named Arthur, and he goes by Art. His favorite comment about his name is, "I wouldn't name a rattlesnake Arthur!"

Nicknames for Arthur: | Edit

Art, Artie, Bear, Tuur

Meanings and history of the name Arthur: | Edit

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Famous real-life people named Arthur: | Edit

Arthur, Prince of Wales (1486-1502) - older brother of Henry VIII
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852)- British general and Prime Minister
Arthur Balfour (1848-1930) - British Prime Minister 1902-5
King Arthur Pendragon - the Arthurian Legends
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Scottish physician and writer of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
Arthur Miller, Playwright
Arthur Marx, Harpo Marx's real name
Arthur Marx, Groucho Marx's son
Art Shamsky, former Major League Baseball player.
Arthur C. Clark, British science fiction author
Arthur Ashe, professional tennis player

Arthur in song, story & screen: | Edit

Arthur Bach, the title character in the 1981 film comedy Arthur, starring Dudley Moore
Arthur Dent, the protagonist of Douglas Adams' science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Arthur Timothy Read, an eight-year old aardvark in the children's animated television program Arthur
Arthur Weasley, a character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter septology
Arthur Curry, real name of Aquaman in DC comics
Arthur "Boo" Radley, reclusive character from "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
Arthur, fictional character in the film Inception, portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.