Arsen

♂ Boy

Pronounced ar-SEN /ɑrˈsɛn/High

Meaning: From Greek Arsenios, derived from arsen (male, virile, strong), used as a given name in Greek, Armenian, Georgian, and Slavic culturesHigh

In 30 seconds: Arsen is the Armenian and Georgian form of the Greek name Arsenios, meaning virile or strong. It has been used for centuries across the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, carried by saints and historical figures.

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Origin HighGreek, Armenian, Georgian

MeaningFrom Greek Arsenios, derived from arsen (male, virile, strong), used as a given name in Greek, Armenian, Georgian, and Slavic cultures

History & Origin

Arsen descends from the Greek Arsenios, rooted in the adjective arsen (male, virile, strong). The name entered Armenian and Georgian usage through early Christian influence and Byzantine contacts. It is attested in medieval Armenia and Georgia as a royal and noble name.

In Georgia, Arsen is associated with Arsen Ikaltoeli, a 12th-century Georgian scholar and theologian. In Armenia, it remains a dignified traditional name. In modern usage, Arsen appears across Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and other Slavic countries as well as its Caucasian heartland. The French form Arsène is widely known through the fictional gentleman-thief Arsène Lupin.

Did you know? Saint Arsenios the Great (354–449 AD) was a Roman educator who became a Christian monk in the Egyptian desert and is revered as a Father of the Church — his story of abandoning imperial prestige for monastic simplicity made the name Arsen beloved in Eastern Christian traditions.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Arsenios — Greek etymology and variantsOxford Dictionary of Saints — Saint Arsenios the Great entry

Variations

ArsenioArseniosArseneArsène

Nicknames

ArsiSen

Famous Bearers

★Arsenius the Great (c. 354–c. 449)
Roman-born Christian monk and Desert Father who tutored the sons of Emperor Theodosius I before joining the desert monks of Egypt, later revered as a saint.
★Arsen Ikaltoeli (c. 1050–c. 1125)
Georgian medieval theologian and philosopher who helped found the Academy of Ikalto under King David IV the Builder and translated key doctrinal works.

If you like Arsen…

Arsenio— the Italian and Spanish form of the same Greek name

Ares— shares Greek origin and strong masculine connotation

Artur— Armenian/Georgian cognate strong masculine classic

Garen— Armenian masculine name of comparable cultural weight

Frequently Asked

What does the name Arsen mean?

Arsen means virile, strong, or masculine, from Greek arsen (male). It is the Armenian and Georgian form of the Greek name Arsenios.

How do you pronounce Arsen?

It is said ar-SEN, with two syllables and stress on the second.

Is Arsen a boy or girl name?

Arsen is a boy's name. The Greek root arsen specifically means male or virile.

How popular is Arsen?

Arsen is common in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. It is rare in English-speaking countries.