Arba
Primarily a boy's name of Hebrew origin with 47 recorded births. Also given to 16 girls.
Meaning & Origin
a female given name
Arba is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew arba, meaning 'four.' In the Hebrew Bible, Arba is the ancestor of the Anakim and the founder of the city of Hebron, one of the most ancient cities in the world.
Arba is a name of great antiquity — carried by a biblical giant whose city Hebron became one of the four holy cities of Judaism. Short, ancient, and entirely uncommon in modern use.
EtymologyShow more
Though Arba dates back to 1898 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Hebrew classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 47 recorded births, Arba has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arba has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1898.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 15 | #3666 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 18 | #3860 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 6 | #3532 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 8 | #806 | — |
The Story of Arba
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1898, Arba is a name steeped in history. Boys named Arba are most likely born between 1898 and 1908.
How rare is Arba?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Arba is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1898, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1920s with 18 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(8 years, 1898–1938)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 | 5 | #3546 |
| 1933 | 5 | #3666 |
| 1931 | 5 | #3786 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4235 |
| 1923 | 6 | #3838 |
| 1920 | 7 | #3507 |
| 1916 | 6 | #3532 |
| 1898 | 8 | #806 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Arba as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Arba has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 16 births since 1916.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arba a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arba most popular?
How popular is the name Arba?
Can Arba be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1898–1938