Arby
A boy's name of Old English origin with 230 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Arby is a vintage name that peaked in early twentieth-century America 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 — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Arby is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Arby is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, likely derived as a diminutive of names beginning with "Ar-" such as Arthur or Arnold. It has the approachable, nickname-ready energy popular in early 20th-century America.
Rare and unpretentious, Arby suits parents who want something short, punchy, and genuinely uncommon — a name that feels at home on a friendly, down-to-earth personality.
EtymologyShow more
Though Arby dates back to 1913 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 Old English classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 230 recorded births, Arby has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arby has 32+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 | #5104 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 8 | #3092 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 20 | #3284 | — |
| 1940s | 22 | #2987 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 58 | #3050 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 67 | #3491 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 49 | #3191 | — |
The Story of Arby
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1916, Arby is a name steeped in history. Boys named Arby are most likely born between 1913 and 1926.
How rare is Arby?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Arby is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1913, peaked in the 1920s with 67 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Arby by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(32 years, 1913–1978)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 6 | #5104 |
| 1960 | 8 | #3092 |
| 1956 | 5 | #3964 |
| 1951 | 8 | #2854 |
| 1950 | 7 | #3035 |
| 1948 | 5 | #3702 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2134 |
| 1944 | 6 | #3124 |
| 1939 | 9 | #2457 |
| 1938 | 6 | #3190 |
| 1937 | 11 | #2209 |
| 1934 | 6 | #3306 |
| 1933 | 5 | #3667 |
| 1932 | 8 | #2856 |
| 1931 | 7 | #3107 |
| 1930 | 6 | #3609 |
| 1929 | 5 | #3984 |
| 1927 | 6 | #3797 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4236 |
| 1925 | 6 | #3756 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arby a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arby most popular?
How popular is the name Arby?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–1978