Macarther
Son of a skilled warrior, derived from Scottish Gaelic elements meaning "son" and "skilled".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Macarther. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Macarther today is around 77 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Macarther births was 1942 (10 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Macarther. 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.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Macarther is about 77 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Macarthers were born before 1959.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Macarther. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
1942
10 babies that year
Average age
77
years old
1942 SSA rank
#2,475
Tracked since 1942
Popularity
Macarther: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Macarther 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 Macarther during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Macarther
The name Macarther is a unique and intriguing one, with its roots tracing back to ancient Scotland. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic words "mac," meaning "son," and "arthuir," derived from the name "Arthur." This suggests that the name Macarther may have initially been a patronymic, indicating a familial connection to an individual named Arthur.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Macarther can be found in the annals of Scottish history, where it was borne by a prominent warrior and chieftain in the 12th century. This individual, known as Macarther the Brave, was renowned for his fearlessness on the battlefield and his unwavering loyalty to his clan.
During the Middle Ages, the name Macarther gained popularity among the Scottish nobility, and several notable figures emerged bearing this moniker. One such individual was Sir Macarther Douglas, a valiant knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence in the 14th century.
In later centuries, the name Macarther spread beyond the borders of Scotland, carried by immigrants and explorers to various parts of the world. One notable bearer of this name was Macarther Lewis, an English explorer who embarked on an expedition to the Arctic regions in the early 19th century, contributing to the advancement of geographical knowledge at the time.
Another prominent figure was General Macarther McArthur, a distinguished military leader who played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. Born in 1825, he commanded Union forces in several major battles and was highly regarded for his strategic acumen and bravery on the field.
In the realm of literature, the name Macarther has also left its mark. One of the most celebrated authors bearing this name was Macarther Stevenson, a Scottish novelist and poet of the late 19th century. His works, which explored themes of Scottish culture and identity, earned him critical acclaim and a lasting legacy in the literary world.
While these are just a few examples, the name Macarther has undoubtedly been borne by countless individuals throughout history, each leaving their own unique imprint on the world around them. Its Scottish origins and associations with valor, exploration, and creativity have contributed to the enduring allure of this intriguing moniker.
People
Macarther + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Macarther as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Macarther: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Macarther?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Macarther 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Macarther a common name?
We classify Macarther as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 10 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Macarther most popular?
The single biggest year for Macarther was 1942, when 10 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Macarther is about 77 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Macarther in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Macarther a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Macarther 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.
Is Macarther still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Macarther in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Macarther can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Macarther?
You can see how many Americans are named Macarther on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.