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Baby names

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Original poster

Is Arthur "too old a name" ?

38 replies

Taishan · 03/05/2024 12:02

Hi all,

How does folk see the name Arthur?
Is it an "Old mans name"?

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Sundaysunshine21 · 11/05/2024 20:20

It’s not old, it is a traditional name that’s been around for a long time, but it’s very popular at the moment. It’s been the most commonly used boys name among people I know over the last couple of years.

LBNM19 · 09/05/2024 19:58

I know people say it’s a popular name. My son is called Arthur he is 5, the only Arthur in his year group and I think I’ve heard one more child being called Arthur at the school. (I work there)

RuthW · 09/05/2024 13:17

It's definitely not an old man's. It's a very popular name for under tens.

SemperIdem · 09/05/2024 12:19

I really like it, it was my grandfathers name. It is very, very popular and has been for a little while, after a long time out in the wilderness.

I don’t think there are many Arthur’s at all between the ages of about 20 and 85. All younger or older.

ClipClopperDontStopper · 09/05/2024 12:17

I think some first time parents think it's quirky and old fashioned and don't realise it's one of the most popular boys' names. Arthurs are everywhere.

AcrobaticCardigan · 09/05/2024 12:15

Absolutely love it.

TabbyMcTat2 · 09/05/2024 12:13

I like it.
Can be shortened to Artie too which is adorable.

SantasRubiksCube · 06/05/2024 18:09

It depends how your going to say it, are you actually going to pronounce it 'Arthur'? I only ask as there is a mum on the school run who has an Arthur but all you hear is her screaming 'Arrrffur' at him all the time and it's forever ruined the name for me 😂

Fanchester · 05/05/2024 14:35

Lovely name but v popular now and not a good choice if you want a name that can’t be shortened.

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 05/05/2024 14:28

It was once, but it's been very popular for little boys for about 10 years.

Crikeyalmighty · 03/05/2024 22:38

My son has 2 middle names, William and Arthur- both his great grandads names. He has a Traditional first name too - he's 26 now- so they've been in vogue again for quite awhile

IrisRuby · 03/05/2024 22:35

I only know one little Arthur at my son's nursery, it's definitely not an old man's name anymore!

Evenstar · 03/05/2024 20:37

I help run a baby group and there are two babies called Arthur at the moment out of around 12 regular attendees. I worked in Early Years too for many years and never had an Arthur in a setting I worked in so it is definitely popular at the moment.

I did know an Orson, but the other children couldn’t say it and called him Orsom

Edited to say I think it’s a lovely name

piscofrisco · 03/05/2024 20:33

I know lots of ten year old and under Arthur's. It's not too old but for me it it's too common right now. The suggestion of Orson up thread is lovely. I'm also trying to bring back Alban (as in St Albans) which I think is unusual but not too out there... (as in I'm suggesting it to all my friends having boys as my child birthing days are way behind me and I only make girls it seems anyway).

Growlybear83 · 03/05/2024 20:32

I think it's very much an old man's name.

midlifeattheoasis · 03/05/2024 20:25

Oh I absolutely love it! My dad's name was George Arthur, which I thought was so awful and old fashioned. Now I wished I'd called my boys George or Arthur.

Original poster
Taishan · 03/05/2024 20:20

tumblebumbleweed · 03/05/2024 20:10

I have a 3 year old Arthur and we've never met another one, I've tried shortening it but he is having none of it!

SO pleased we chose it!

Thats why we picked ot, as its difficult yo shorten.
Also it sounds like a good strong English name.

OP posts:
tumblebumbleweed · 03/05/2024 20:10

I have a 3 year old Arthur and we've never met another one, I've tried shortening it but he is having none of it!

SO pleased we chose it!

BoleynMemories13 · 03/05/2024 20:04

As everyone else has said, it's currently really popular again so nobody would bat an eyelid at meeting a young Arthur.

I must admit, 15+ years ago when it first started rising back up the charts I couldn't see past the old man view. I wasn't keen. I'm so use to hearing it on under 10s now though that I actually really like it. It's what happens with names, they cycle round in fashion. Arthur is very much back in favour and has been for quite some time now.

Newestname002 · 03/05/2024 17:42

gingerspice27 · 03/05/2024 12:10

I absolutely love the name Arthur.

Me too. Makes me want to smile somehow.

Trainbother · 03/05/2024 13:53

No, it's very popular again. Maybe too popular?

Round here it will be pronounced Ah f a , which would put me off using it.

yikesanotherbooboo · 03/05/2024 13:50

It has been current for more than 20 years ( when we considered it for DS) .

UnderGreenGrass · 03/05/2024 12:59

Gorgeous name

Suchardchoccy · 03/05/2024 12:52

There's an Arthur in my daughter's nursery!

Oneearringlost · 03/05/2024 12:29

It's quite common, but I like it.
You could use "Artie" as a shortening?

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