Arbutis
A girl's name of Latin origin with 17 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Arbutis is a vintage name that peaked in the pre-war decades and has since faded from common use. For parents drawn to retro charm, that quiet history is part of the appeal.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — gives it a distinctive rhythm that pairs well with shorter middle names or surnames.
Arbutis is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Arbutis is a rare American name, likely an elaboration of Arbutus — the name of a flowering shrub or tree (from the Latin arbutus). The arbutus, with its delicate white flowers and red berries, has long been a symbol of love and constancy in poetry and folklore. The Maryland state flower is the Arbutus.
As a given name, Arbutis has the vintage charm of botanical names that were popular in the early 20th century — think Viola, Ivy, and Myrtle. It's a name that carries nature's quiet beauty in a form most people have never seen on a birth certificate.
EtymologyShow more
Though Arbutis dates back to 1925 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 Latin classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 17 recorded births, Arbutis has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arbutis has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1925.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 | #4450 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 12 | #4357 | — |
The Story of Arbutis
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1929, Arbutis is an elegant vintage name. Girls named Arbutis are most likely born between 1925 and 1932.
How rare is Arbutis?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Arbutis is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1925, peaked in the 1920s with 12 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 1925–1932)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 5 | #4450 |
| 1929 | 7 | #3700 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5014 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arbutis a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arbutis most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1925–1932