How Many People Are Named Arthur?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Arthur

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 25,461 living people in the United States currently have the first name Arthur. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 27,614 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #100 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~25,461CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)27,614Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#100U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1990 (593 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~25,461
Historical Births (SSA)
27,614
All-Time Rank
#100
Historical Peak
1990

Key Insights for Arthur

Estimated Living Bearers
~25,461 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#100
Top 100 All-Time Classic
Historical Peak Year
1990
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
93.2% Male · 6.8% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-29%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~3,183 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Arthur

Living Population Model
~25,461

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
27,614

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
23,529

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
33.1 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1990

Highest annual total: 593 registrations in 1990.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-29%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Arthur has experienced a 29% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Arthur (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1990 (~593 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201036734126
201134832424
201232930623
201331028822
201429227220
201527425519
201625723918
201724122417
201822520916
201921119615
202019718314
202118317013
202217115912
202316014911
202414913910

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
5/100
1950s
16/100
1960s
39/100
1970s
71/100
1980s
97/100
1990s
98/100
2000s
82/100
2010s
49/100
2020s
15/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Arthur has been predominantly masculine (93.2% male vs 6.8% female).

Male: 93.2% (~25,734 births)Female: 6.8% (~1,880 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Arthur

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Arthur in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Arthur appeared 23,529 times, ranking #29 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
23,529 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#29
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Arthur Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~3,183 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~3,18312.5%
Texas (TX)~2,3429.2%
Florida (FL)~1,7316.8%
New York (NY)~1,5536.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1,0184%
Illinois (IL)~9933.9%
Ohio (OH)~9173.6%
Georgia (GA)~8403.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 25,461 people named Arthur are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 33.1 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Arthur: 33.1 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Arthur

How many people in the U.S. are named Arthur?

Approximately 25,461 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Arthur. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 27,614 birth applications for Arthur between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Arthur?

Arthur ranks #100 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This puts Arthur among the 100 most common first names in American history.

When was the name Arthur most popular in America?

The name Arthur reached its peak historical popularity in 1990, when 593 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Arthur?

Arthur has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Arthur?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Arthur has been predominantly masculine (93.2% male vs 6.8% female).

Where is the name Arthur most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Arthur resides in California, with approximately 3,183 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Arthur in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Arthur appeared 23,529 times in census returns, ranking #29 in official 2020 returns.

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