Arda first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Arda has been for the last 28 years (from 1996 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Arda

An ancient Persian name meaning "precious gem".

Popularity of Arda by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Arda is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Arda.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 14 0
2022 19 0
2021 11 0
2020 10 0
2019 19 0
2018 18 0
2017 19 0
2016 20 0
2015 32 0
2014 30 0
2013 23 0
2012 23 0
2011 27 0
2010 35 0
2009 29 0
2008 27 0
2007 23 0
2006 41 0
2005 18 0
2004 12 0
2003 9 0
2002 14 0
2000 11 0
1999 7 0
1998 7 0
1996 5 0

The history of the first name Arda

The name Arda has its origins in the Sindarin language, a fictional Elvish language created by J.R.R. Tolkien for his legendary novel The Lord of the Rings. It is derived from the Sindarin word "ard" meaning "realm" or "region." In Tolkien's world, Arda is the name given to the entire world, encompassing the continents of Middle-earth, Aman, and the surrounding seas.

The name Arda gained widespread recognition and popularity after the publication of Tolkien's iconic work in the mid-20th century. While it is not a traditional name found in any particular culture or language, it has been adopted by some fans of Tolkien's literature as a unique and meaningful choice for their children.

One of the earliest recorded uses of Arda as a given name can be found in the records of the British Royal Air Force during World War II. Arda Pegler, born in 1920, served as a pilot in the RAF and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for her exceptional service.

Another notable bearer of the name is Arda Mandikian, an Armenian-American photojournalist born in 1945. She is renowned for her coverage of various conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world, including the Vietnam War and the Armenian Genocide.

In the field of literature, Arda Arikan is a Turkish author and translator born in 1974. She has gained recognition for her work in translating novels from English into Turkish and for her own literary contributions.

Arda Turan, born in 1987, is a Turkish professional footballer who has played for various clubs, including Barcelona and the Turkish national team. He is considered one of the most talented and successful Turkish footballers of his generation.

Arda Ocal, born in 1984, is a Canadian sports journalist and broadcaster. He is well-known for his work as a host and commentator for various wrestling and sports entertainment programs, including those produced by WWE and TSN.

While the name Arda may not have a long historical lineage, it has gained a unique place in popular culture thanks to its association with Tolkien's legendary works. Its meaning and connection to the concept of a vast and wondrous world have resonated with many, leading to its adoption as a given name in various parts of the world.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Arda was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Arda, please contact us.

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"Arda first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 1, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/arda-meaning-and-history/.

"Arda first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/arda-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 1 June, 2025

Arda first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/arda-meaning-and-history/.

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