Macarthur
Macarthur is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Son of Arthur (meaning bear or king).
Origin and history
Macarthur is a Gaelic surname used as a given name, traditionally meaning 'son of Arthur'. It gained usage in the United States primarily as a transferred surname, often reflecting family heritage or admiration for military figures like General Douglas MacArthur. It remains a rare first name in contemporary birth records.
Popularity in the United States
1,291 babies in the United States have been named Macarthur since 1880. It ranks #3413 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1870.
States where it is most popular
- MS (19.7 %)
- AL (12.9 %)
- TN (9.6 %)
- GA (9 %)
- NC (9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 357 |
| 1950-1960 | 131 |
| 1960-1970 | 148 |
| 1970-1980 | 151 |
| 1980-1990 | 110 |
| 1990-2000 | 110 |
| 2000-2010 | 98 |
| 2010-2019 | 129 |
| 2020-2029 | 57 |
Nicknames
Mac, Art, Artie
Fun facts
- The name directly derives from the Gaelic patronymic 'Mac Artair', connecting it to the ancient roots of the name Arthur.
- Like many Scottish and Irish patronymics beginning with 'Mac' or 'Mc', it transitioned from a family surname to an uncommon given name.