Arbie
Primarily a boy's name of German origin with 513 recorded births. Also given to 137 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Arbie is a one-syllable boy's name with a bright, approachable sound — giving the name a friendly, informal feel. With 513 recorded U.S. births since 1904, it sits in a sweet spot: recognizable enough to be a real name, uncommon enough to turn heads.
Arbie is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Arbie is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a diminutive of Archibald or Arthur, with Archibald from the Old German Ercanbald meaning 'genuine, brave' and Arthur of Celtic origin meaning 'bear' or 'strong as a bear.' The affectionate -ie ending creates an informal, warm variant.
Arbie has the vintage, folksy charm of early twentieth-century nickname names — breezy and familiar, the kind of name that belonged to someone who everyone called by their nickname from the first moment they met. It carries its Germanic or Celtic root lightly and warmly.
EtymologyShow more
Arbie is cataloged under the German naming tradition. Germanic names have ancient roots in compound constructions — typically pairing elements meaning things like 'strength,' 'counsel,' 'fame,' or 'protection.'
In the U.S., Arbie has been recorded as a boy's name since 1904, with 513 total births. Browse the German names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arbie has 53+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1904.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 | #5265 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 30 | #3686 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 67 | #2958 | — |
| 1940s | 68 | #2916 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 103 | #2435 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 141 | #2292 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 86 | #2224 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 13 | #1169 | — |
The Story of Arbie
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1923, Arbie is a name steeped in history. Boys named Arbie are most likely born between 1913 and 1933.
How rare is Arbie?
With 513 total births on record, Arbie remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1904, peaked in the 1920s with 141 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Arbie by the numbers
- Would fill 11 school buses
- Meeting one Arbie per day would take 1.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(53 years, 1904–1974)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 5 | #5265 |
| 1968 | 6 | #3695 |
| 1964 | 7 | #3299 |
| 1962 | 6 | #3660 |
| 1961 | 5 | #4095 |
| 1960 | 6 | #3681 |
| 1959 | 5 | #4020 |
| 1958 | 8 | #3042 |
| 1956 | 8 | #2983 |
| 1955 | 7 | #3213 |
| 1954 | 13 | #2211 |
| 1953 | 8 | #2915 |
| 1951 | 10 | #2502 |
| 1950 | 8 | #2780 |
| 1949 | 6 | #3317 |
| 1947 | 8 | #2874 |
| 1946 | 11 | #2273 |
| 1945 | 7 | #2756 |
| 1944 | 5 | #3450 |
| 1943 | 8 | #2746 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Arbie as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Arbie has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 137 births since 1890.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arbie a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arbie most popular?
How popular is the name Arbie?
Can Arbie be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1904–1974