Pronunciation
Art
Meaning
Bear, from an ancient Celtic root
Related forms: Artán (diminutive).
Alternate spellings
Airt
Fun fact
Art is a complete old Irish name, rather than just a nickname for Arthur. It was used by Irish ruling families for centuries. Its short spelling travels easily, while the bear meaning gives it a nature connection.
Popularity in Ireland
Figures for the spelling Art, Republic of Ireland.
The CSO only publishes names given to three or more babies in a year. “Less than 3” means zero, one or two babies, and these years appear as gaps on the graph.
Number of babies registered each year
From 2018, spellings with and without fadas are counted separately. Earlier figures group these spellings together, so the graph has a break at 2018.
View yearly figures
| Year | Babies named | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #329 |
| 2024 | 12 | #327 |
| 2023 | 10 | #362 |
| 2022 | 13 | #329 |
| 2021 | 13 | #326 |
| 2020 | 13 | #324 |
| 2019 | 19 | #244 |
| 2018 | 16 | #283 |
| 2017 | 14 | #305 |
| 2016 | 16 | #283 |
| 2015 | 9 | #397 |
| 2014 | 8 | #428 |
| 2013 | 3 | #711 |
| 2012 | 4 | #616 |
| 2011 | Less than 3 | - |
| 2010 | 7 | #448 |
| 2009 | 3 | #701 |
| 2008 | 12 | #328 |
| 2007 | 5 | #473 |
| 2006 | 5 | #423 |
| 2005 | Less than 3 | - |
| 2004 | 4 | #439 |
| 2003 | 4 | #423 |
| 2002 | Less than 3 | - |
| 2001 | 3 | #409 |
| 2000 | 3 | #390 |
| 1999 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1998 | 3 | #369 |
| 1997 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1996 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1995 | 3 | #334 |
| 1994 | 3 | #342 |
| 1993 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1992 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1991 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1990 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1989 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1988 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1987 | 3 | #303 |
| 1986 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1985 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1984 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1983 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1982 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1981 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1980 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1979 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1978 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1977 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1976 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1975 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1974 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1973 | 3 | #320 |
| 1972 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1971 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1970 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1969 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1968 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1967 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1966 | Less than 3 | - |
| 1965 | 3 | #250 |
| 1964 | Less than 3 | - |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies’ Names, tables VSA50 and VSA60. Latest year: 2025.
