NameCensus.
Very Rare

Arch

A shortened form of the name Archibald meaning "genuine, precious; bold, brave".

Name Census estimates that about 633 living Americans carry the first name Arch. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Arch today is around 60 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Arch births was 1880 (61 babies).

This page is the full Name Census profile for Arch. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.

People living today

633

~ 1 in 541,476 Americans

Peak year

1880

61 babies that year

Average age

60

years old

2024 SSA rank

#3,211

Tracked since 1880

Popularity

Arch: popularity over time

The SSA tracks Arch from the 1880s through to the 2020s, spanning 15 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 431 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.

Babies born per year

01531466118801900192019401960198020002020

Decades

Arch by decade

The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Arch during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.

DecadeMaleFemaleTotal
1880s4150415
1890s2360236
1900s1380138
1910s3440344
1920s4310431
1930s2450245
1940s2060206
1950s1760176
1960s1190119
1970s78078
1980s505
1990s707
2000s10010
2010s18018
2020s98098

Geography

Where Archs live

The SSA's state-level files cover 10 states and territories. Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee recorded the most babies named Arch, while Illinois, Arkansas, Georgia recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 21 registrations each.

Origin

Meaning and history of Arch

The given name Arch has its origins in Ancient Greek, derived from the word "arkhē," meaning "beginning" or "origin." This name gained prominence during the Classical period of Greek history, approximately the 5th century BCE.

In Greek mythology, the name Arch was associated with the concept of primordial creation and the establishment of order from chaos. It was believed that the universe originated from a single arkhē or source. This philosophical notion influenced the naming traditions of the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arch can be found in the works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who lived from 384 to 322 BCE. Aristotle referred to the concept of arkhē in his writings, exploring the principles of causality and the nature of existence.

During the Roman era, the name Arch was adopted and Latinized, becoming "Archius." It was particularly popular among the upper classes and nobility, as it conveyed a sense of authority and prestige.

In the early Christian era, the name Arch gained religious significance. Saint Archius, a 3rd-century martyr and bishop of Antioch, was known for his unwavering faith and commitment to the Church. His name became associated with steadfastness and devotion.

Throughout history, several notable individuals bore the name Arch. One prominent example is Arch Deacon, an English clergyman and scholar who lived from 1568 to 1635. He was renowned for his contributions to theological studies and his role in the Hampton Court Conference, which shaped the King James Version of the Bible.

Another individual of note was Arch Rock, a renowned Native American leader of the Ute tribe, who lived during the 19th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and advocating for the rights of his people.

In the realm of literature, Arch Oboler, an American playwright and screenwriter, left his mark with his influential works for radio and television. He lived from 1909 to 1987 and is remembered for his innovative storytelling techniques.

Arch Puddington, an American author and human rights advocate born in 1943, has made significant contributions to the field of democracy promotion and freedom of expression. His work has brought attention to global human rights issues.

Arch Gillespie, born in 1879, was a pioneering American aviator and aerial photographer. He played a crucial role in the early development of aviation technology and aerial mapping techniques.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Arch throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and disciplines, reflecting the name's association with origins, beginnings, and foundational principles.

People

Arch + last name combinations

How many people share a full name with Arch as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.

Related

Other names starting with A

Other first names starting with A with a similar number of bearers.

FAQ

Arch: questions and answers

How many people in the U.S. are named Arch?

Name Census puts the figure at roughly 633 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Arch going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 541,476 US residents.

Is Arch a common name?

We classify Arch as "Very Rare". It ranks above 86.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,526 babies have been registered with this name.

When was Arch most popular?

The single biggest year for Arch was 1880, when 61 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Arch is about 60 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.

Is Arch a male name?

Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Arch in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.

Where does this data come from?

First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.

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