Art Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Art //ɑrt//
Origin: Latin; Old English
Meaning: Latin: noble; Old English: bear
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Art is derived from the Old French name "Artus," which itself comes from the Latin "Arturus," a form of the name Arthur. The etymology can be traced back further to the Celtic word "artos," meaning "bear," which is associated with strength and bravery.
This connection to the bear is significant in various Celtic cultures, where the bear was often seen as a symbol of power and ferocity. The name Arthur gained prominence in the medieval period, particularly through the legendary figure of King Arthur, who is central to the Arthurian legends that emerged in the 12th century.
These tales, which include the Knights of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail, contributed to the name's enduring legacy in Western literature and culture. Historically, the name Art has been used as a diminutive or variant of Arthur, especially in English-speaking regions.
The name Arthur itself became widely recognized due to its association with notable historical and mythical figures, including the 6th-century British leader and the various literary adaptations that followed. The popularity of the Arthurian legends, particularly during the Middle Ages, solidified the name's significance in both historical and cultural contexts.
Additionally, the name Art has been used in various forms across different cultures, often retaining its connection to the original meanings associated with strength and nobility. Culturally, the name Art has resonated through its associations with art and creativity, as it is also a common abbreviation for artistic endeavors.
This duality of meaning—linking both to historical strength and to the creative arts—has allowed the name to maintain a rich significance over the centuries. The name Art, while often considered a short form, carries with it the weight of its historical roots and the cultural narratives that have shaped its usage throughout history.
Famous people named Art
In this section, you will find notable people named Art. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Art who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Art who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Art Garfunkel is a singer and actor best known for his work with Simon & Garfunkel, as well as for the film Carnal Knowledge.
Art Spiegelman is a cartoonist best known for his graphic novel Maus, which depicts the Holocaust through the lens of anthropomorphic animals.
Art Bell is a radio personality best known for founding the paranormal-themed radio show Coast to Coast AM.
Art Linkletter was a television personality best known for his shows Art Linkletter's House Party and Kids Say the Darndest Things.
Art Rooney is a businessman best known for being the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Art Adams is a comic book artist best known for his work on titles such as Longshot, X-Men, and Superman.
Art Tatum was a jazz pianist best known for his virtuosic playing and innovative style in the genre of jazz.
Art Blakey was a jazz drummer and bandleader best known for his work with the Jazz Messengers and his contributions to hard bop.
Fictional characters named Art
The following list of fictional characters named Art is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Art is a fictional character from the animated television series The Amazing World of Gumball. He is a classmate of Gumball and Darwin, known for his artistic talents and eccentric personality.
Art is a fictional character from the video game series Artful Escape. They are a musician who embarks on a journey to discover their true identity and artistic voice.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Art, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Art. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Art was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Art has ranked as high as #1305 nationally, which occurred in 1961, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, Texas, Michigan, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Art has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Art is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Art was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Art.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 2024 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2023 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2022 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 2021 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 2020 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 2019 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2018 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 2017 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2016 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2015 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2014 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2013 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2012 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2011 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2010 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2009 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2008 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2007 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2006 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2005 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2004 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2003 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2002 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2001 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2000 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1999 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1997 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1996 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1995 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1994 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1993 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1992 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1991 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1990 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 1989 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 1988 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1987 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1986 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1985 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1984 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1983 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1982 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 1981 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1980 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1979 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1978 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1977 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1976 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1975 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1974 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 1973 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1972 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1971 | 42 | 42 | 0 |
| 1970 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| 1969 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
| 1968 | 52 | 52 | 0 |
| 1967 | 60 | 60 | 0 |
| 1966 | 85 | 85 | 0 |
| 1965 | 91 | 91 | 0 |
| 1964 | 126 | 126 | 0 |
| 1963 | 149 | 149 | 0 |
| 1962 | 145 | 145 | 0 |
| 1961 | 189 | 189 | 0 |
| 1960 | 183 | 183 | 0 |
| 1959 | 161 | 161 | 0 |
| 1958 | 174 | 174 | 0 |
| 1957 | 145 | 145 | 0 |
| 1956 | 80 | 80 | 0 |
| 1955 | 59 | 59 | 0 |
| 1954 | 51 | 51 | 0 |
| 1953 | 58 | 58 | 0 |
| 1952 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 1951 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
| 1950 | 61 | 61 | 0 |
| 1949 | 85 | 85 | 0 |
| 1948 | 111 | 111 | 0 |
| 1947 | 110 | 110 | 0 |
| 1946 | 127 | 127 | 0 |
| 1945 | 105 | 105 | 0 |
| 1944 | 98 | 98 | 0 |
| 1943 | 119 | 119 | 0 |
| 1942 | 117 | 117 | 0 |
| 1941 | 92 | 92 | 0 |
| 1940 | 86 | 86 | 0 |
| 1939 | 90 | 90 | 0 |
| 1938 | 86 | 86 | 0 |
| 1937 | 78 | 78 | 0 |
| 1936 | 72 | 72 | 0 |
| 1935 | 83 | 83 | 0 |
| 1934 | 74 | 74 | 0 |
| 1933 | 80 | 80 | 0 |
| 1932 | 59 | 59 | 0 |
| 1931 | 61 | 61 | 0 |
| 1930 | 60 | 60 | 0 |
| 1929 | 52 | 52 | 0 |
| 1928 | 59 | 59 | 0 |
| 1927 | 61 | 61 | 0 |
| 1926 | 50 | 50 | 0 |
| 1925 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
| 1924 | 50 | 50 | 0 |
| 1923 | 47 | 47 | 0 |
| 1922 | 53 | 53 | 0 |
| 1921 | 50 | 50 | 0 |
| 1920 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 1919 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1918 | 51 | 46 | 5 |
| 1917 | 41 | 41 | 0 |
| 1916 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1915 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1914 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1913 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1912 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1911 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1910 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1909 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1908 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1907 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1906 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1905 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1904 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1903 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1902 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1901 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1900 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1899 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1898 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1897 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1896 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1895 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1894 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1893 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1892 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1891 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1890 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1889 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1888 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1887 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1886 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1885 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1884 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1883 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1882 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1881 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1880 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
Top States for Art (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 7 | |
| CA | 5 |