Arpad
A boy's name of Hungarian origin with 44 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 5 letters and two syllables, Arpad hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1914, with 44 total recorded births.
Arpad is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Arpad is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Arpad is a boy's baby name of Hungarian origin, derived from the Old Hungarian word for 'barley.' Árpád was the founding leader of the Hungarian nation in the 9th century CE — the chieftain who led the Magyar tribes into the Carpathian Basin and established the dynasty that ruled Hungary for four centuries.
For Hungarian families, Árpád is a name of profound national significance, evoking the very founding of Hungary as a state. Outside Hungary it remains rare, making it a genuinely distinctive choice that carries an entire nation's origin story within its two syllables.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Arpad's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Arpad follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Arpad's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arpad has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1914.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 17 | #3790 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 11 | #4089 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 16 | #3662 | — |
The Story of Arpad
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1919, Arpad is a name steeped in history. Boys named Arpad are most likely born between 1914 and 1929.
How rare is Arpad?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Arpad is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1914, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 17 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(8 years, 1914–1964)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 6 | #3625 |
| 1962 | 5 | #4076 |
| 1961 | 6 | #3668 |
| 1923 | 6 | #3845 |
| 1920 | 5 | #4332 |
| 1919 | 6 | #3760 |
| 1916 | 5 | #3934 |
| 1914 | 5 | #3291 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arpad a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arpad most popular?
How popular is the name Arpad?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1914–1964