Artis

This name’s origin is still quite uncertain today, but its popularity derives from its legendary hero, King Arthur’s name. The theories include: 1) From the Roman Gens (family name) Classical Latin and Vulgar Latin dialects “Artōrius.” 2) From a Brittonic patronym “*Arto-rīg-ios,” which in turn derives from the root “*arto-rīg-, “meaning “bear-king,” found in the Old Irish personal name “Art-ri.” An alternative theory is from the Ancient Greek “Arktoúros (Αρκτοῦρος),” meaning “guardian of the bear,” ultimately from “árktos (Ἄρκτοσ)” (bear) plus “oúros (οὖρος)” (watcher, guardian). Classical Latin Arcturus would also have become “Art(h)ur” when borrowed into Welsh, and its brightness and position in the sky led people to regard it as the “guardian of the bear” and the “leader” of the other stars in Boötes.