Arthur — Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

Arthur is a boys' name of Celtic origin, meaning "bear; Thor's eagle (disputed)". The Once and Future King — Excalibur's owner, endlessly royal and bookish.

Style & feel. With classic and royal on its style card, Arthur sits comfortably in the modern naming landscape — familiar enough that nobody misreads it, distinctive enough that your child won't share it with three classmates. At 2 syllables, it flows across most middle-name combinations and survives every life stage from playground to résumé.

Pairing ideas. Arthur pairs naturally with one- and two-syllable middles (Henry, Theodore share its sound-world). If you like Arthur, you'll probably also love Henry, Theodore, Walter — same era, same energy, same bone structure.