---
title: "Arthur: meaning and UK use | BabyNido"
description: "Arthur is a UK boy name of Celtic origin, meaning bear. ONS 2025 boys rank 5. Shortlist here, then buy kit."
url: "https://babynido.co.uk/tools/baby-name-finder/arthur"
---

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# Arthur: meaning and UK use
 

By [Hannah Cole](/author/hannah-cole)
· Published 13 August 2026
· Last updated 13 August 2026 
 

Desk-researched 2026-08-13. Links marked with  *  are affiliate links —
      we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ONS rankings are never affiliate. Skip a print empire until sleep
      kit is in the house.

     
Verdict
 
Arthur is a boy name of Celtic origin, meaning bear. ONS ranked it 5 for boys in England and Wales in 2025. If it sounds like a great-aunt, try it at the school gate first. Then buy sleep kit, not a custom-print empire.
 
 Not for:  Skip this page if you wanted a legal naming ceremony, a religious ruling, or a due-date tracker. ONS owns the rankings. We own the shortlist.
       
## What does Arthur mean, and how is it used in the UK?
 
 Arthur is a boy name of Celtic origin, meaning bear. Styles we file it under: vintage, classic.
 ONS ranked it 5 for boys in England and Wales in 2025.
Say it with your surname before you print. Then buy sleepsuits, not a name-print empire.

    Arthur at a glance       Fact   Detail           Gender   boy       Origin   Celtic       Meaning   bear       Style   vintage, classic       ONS 2025    Rank 5 (boys)         

Source:  [
ONS — Baby names in England and Wales: 2025 ](https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/babynamesinenglandandwales2025) 
(published 9 July 2026).

     
## Which names sit near Arthur?
 

These share gender and overlap on style or origin. They are a second look, not a ranking. Open the one that
            still works with your surname. Keep two or three, not twenty. Then leave the print aisle until sleep and the
            car seat are done.

   -  [ Felix — happy, fortunate ](/tools/baby-name-finder/felix) 
-  [ Oscar — deer friend ](/tools/baby-name-finder/oscar) 
-  [ Reuben — behold, a son ](/tools/baby-name-finder/reuben) 
-  [ Theodore — gift of God ](/tools/baby-name-finder/theodore) 
-  [ Tobias — God is good ](/tools/baby-name-finder/tobias) 
-  [ Albie — noble and bright ](/tools/baby-name-finder/albie) 
       
## What should you buy after you shortlist Arthur?
 

Sleep space and a legal car seat if you drive, then a few 0–3 month cotton sleepsuits and a gift that works at 3
        a.m. Skip nests, name-print blankets sold as safer-sleep, and a wardrobe of newborn-only knits. Official sleep
        advice stays free. Retailer hops below are labelled.

 
 [ Compare 0–3 month sleepsuits at John Lewis* ](/go/johnlewis?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewis.com%2Fsearch%3FsearchTerm%3Dbaby%2Bsleepsuit%2B0-3%2Bmonths&p=name-arthur-sleepsuit) 
 
 [ Find simple newborn gifts on Amazon UK* ](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=newborn+muslin+cloths+cotton&tag=clevermum0c-21) 
      Also browse  [All names](/tools/baby-name-finder)[Names guide](/guides/uk-baby-names)[Newborn gifts](/guides/best-newborn-gifts-uk)[Hospital bag](/guides/hospital-bag-uk)[Skip-list](/skip)     
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