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Home › Baby Names Directory › Macarthur

Macarthur

♂ Boy

Pronounced muh-KAR-thur /məˈkɑːr.θər/Medium

Meaning: From the Scottish surname MacArthur, 'son of Arthur' (mac, 'son of,' plus Arthur, tied to 'bear' or 'noble'). A distinguished clan name, worn too by General Douglas MacArthur.Medium

In 30 seconds: A distinguished clan name: Macarthur means 'son of Arthur' (said 'muh-KAR-thur'). Stately and historic.
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Origin MediumScottish, Gaelic
MeaningFrom the Scottish surname MacArthur, 'son of Arthur' (mac, 'son of,' plus Arthur, tied to 'bear' or 'noble'). A distinguished clan name, worn too by General Douglas MacArthur.
U.S. rank (2025)#11489 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1942
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,291

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194219412025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Macarthur comes from the Scottish surname MacArthur, 'son of Arthur' (mac, 'son of'). Arthur itself links to 'bear' or 'noble.' As a first name it reads distinguished and historic — rare in the U.S. (said 'muh-KAR-thur').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and stately.

Did you know? Macarthur is a Scottish clan surname — 'son of Arthur,' a name tied to 'bear' or 'noble' — carried into fame by General Douglas MacArthur, and worn today as a stately given name (said 'muh-KAR-thur').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Macarthur — Scottish surname 'son of Arthur'

Variations

MacArthurMcArthurMacarther

Nicknames

MacArthur

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Macarthur…

Arthur— the root name inside it
Sullivan— a like Gaelic surname name
Sinclair— a like distinguished surname pick
Kingston— a like stately surname name

Explore names like Macarthur

By themesurnamescottishhistoricstately

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Macarthur mean?

Macarthur is a Scottish surname, 'son of Arthur' (Arthur tied to 'bear' or 'noble').

How do you pronounce Macarthur?

It's said muh-KAR-thur /məˈkɑːr.θər/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Macarthur a boy or girl name?

Macarthur is a boy's name.

How popular is Macarthur?

Macarthur is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

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