Last updated: March 2026

Character Name

Arthur

Meaning — Arthur is a masculine name used in French, Spanish, and Italian contexts, of uncertain but likely Celtic origin — possibly from the Brythonic Artorius, itself possibly from the Celtic art meaning "bear". The legendary King Arthur of Britain, whose stories were retold across medieval Europe in French romances by Chrétien de Troyes, made the name one of the great names of French literature. Arthur Rimbaud, the revolutionary French poet, gave the name additional literary prestige.·French origin·Male·ar-TUR

Arthur Arthur in French carries the Arthurian ideal of chivalric kingship alongside the revolutionary lyric genius of Rimbaud — a name with both medieval grandeur and Romantic poetic fire. Characters named Arthur in French fiction often project a sense of destiny and exceptional individual force, suited to medieval historical fiction, stories of French Romantic and Symbolist literary culture, and contemporary narratives of men who feel called to something larger than themselves.

Best genres for Arthur

Historical FictionLiterary FictionAdventureMedieval Fiction

Famous characters named Arthur

King Arthur

Lancelot, or the Knight of the Cart Chrétien de Troyes

The legendary British king, whose court at Camelot and the chivalric code of the Round Table were celebrated most influentially in the 12th-century French romances of Chrétien de Troyes.


Variations & nicknames

ArthurArturoArtür

Pairs well with

Arthur MoreauArthur DupontArthur RenardArthur BernardArthur LeclercArthur Beaumont

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Dylan

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Veronique

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