Art
Art is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Bear, or short form of Arthur.
Origin and history
Art is a classic short form of Arthur, which is believed to derive from the Celtic word for bear. It was used historically as an independent given name, peaking in popularity in the mid-20th century. In contemporary U.S. usage, it is relatively rare as a standalone birth name.
Popularity in the United States
6,141 babies in the United States have been named Art since 1880. It ranks #1533 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1749.
States where it is most popular
- CA (52.4 %)
- IL (8.7 %)
- TX (7.6 %)
- MI (7 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 98 |
| 1890-1900 | 110 |
| 1900-1910 | 106 |
| 1910-1920 | 304 |
| 1920-1930 | 495 |
| 1930-1940 | 743 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,050 |
| 1950-1960 | 875 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,123 |
| 1970-1980 | 304 |
| 1980-1990 | 238 |
| 1990-2000 | 191 |
| 2000-2010 | 135 |
| 2010-2019 | 191 |
| 2020-2029 | 178 |
Famous people named Art
- Art Garfunkel: Singer, Musician
- Art Carney: Actor, Comedian
- Art Buchwald: Columnist, Humorist
Fun facts
- While traditionally a short form of Arthur, Art has officially been registered as an independent given name in the United States since at least 1880.
- The root name Arthur is most commonly associated with the Celtic word 'artos', meaning bear.