Arthur Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Arthur Name Meaning

Fact: In the Arthurian legends, Arthur was the son of Uther Pendragon and the king who united Britain.

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A Deep Dive

Arthur Overview

Meaning

Noble, courageous, bear

Gender

Boy

Origin

Welsh, Celtic, Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Celtic word “artos,” meaning “bear,” or possibly from the Roman family name “Artorius.”

Pronunciation

/ˈɑːr.θər/

Popularity

Arthur is a well-known name globally, often associated with the legendary King Arthur. Recently, Arthur has been rising in popularity and ranks within the top 200 names for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Mythological

Associated Traits

Noble, intelligent, strong, wise

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Arthur is associated with the legendary King Arthur, a central figure in British folklore and medieval romances, symbolizing chivalry and nobility.

Name Day

November 15th
A Deep Dive

Arthur Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Artur, Arturo, Arto, Artus, Artair, Art, Artturi, Artūrs, Arturas, Arturowicz

Common Nicknames

Art, Artie, Arty, Bear, Thor

Diminutives

Artu, Arto, Arty, Arti

Famous People

  • Arthur Conan Doyle
    (British Author)
  • King Arthur
    (Legendary King)
  • Arthur Ashe
    (American Tennis Player)
  • Arthur Miller
    (American Playwright)
  • Arthur Schopenhauer
    (German Philosopher)
  • Arthur C. Clarke
    (British Author)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • King Arthur
    ("Excalibur," Film)
  • "Arthur"
    (TV Series)
  • Arthur Fleck
    ("Joker," Film)
  • Arthur Read
    ("Arthur," TV Series)
  • "Arthur"
    (Film)
  • Arthur Pendragon
    ("Merlin," TV Series)
  • Arthur Weasley
    ("Harry Potter," Novel Series)

Places

  • Arthur City
    (Texas, USA)
  • Arthur River
    (Tasmania, Australia)
  • Arthur's Seat
    (Edinburgh, Scotland)
  • Port Arthur
    (Tasmania, Australia)
  • Arthur Pass
    (Canterbury, New Zealand)

What Is the Meaning of Arthur?

Arthur means “bear” or “noble” and often signifies strength and leadership. Individuals with the name Arthur are perceived as wise, courageous, and charismatic, embodying qualities of natural leadership and bravery.

What Is the Origin of The Name Arthur?

Arthur has roots in Welsh, Celtic, and Latin origins. The name is derived from the Celtic word “artos,” meaning “bear,” and the Roman family name “Artorius.”

Arthur Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Arthur in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1542021#1402022#1282023
Top 3 Rankings#141880#141881#141882

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Arthur

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023128
(+12 from 2022)
2823
(+136 from 2022)
0.15417
2022140
(+14 from 2021)
2687
(+213 from 2021)
0.14346
2021154
(+9 from 2020)
2474
(+140 from 2020)
0.13204
2020163
(+14 from 2019)
2334
(+142 from 2019)
0.12618
2019177
(+52 from 2018)
2192
(+540 from 2018)
0.11406
2018229
(+16 from 2017)
1652
(+138 from 2017)
0.08499
2017245
(+28 from 2016)
1514
(+169 from 2016)
0.07650
2016273
(+19 from 2015)
1345
(+98 from 2015)
0.06640
2015292
(+14 from 2014)
1247
(+95 from 2014)
0.06099
2014306
(+15 from 2013)
1152
(+120 from 2013)
0.05622
2013321
(+34 from 2012)
1032
(+167 from 2012)
0.05107
2012355
(-16 from 2011)
865
(-28 from 2011)
0.04263
2011339
(+49 from 2010)
893
(+164 from 2010)
0.04396
2010388
(-14 from 2009)
729
(-83 from 2009)
0.03548
2009374
(-11 from 2008)
812
(-50 from 2008)
0.03829
2008363
(+12 from 2007)
862
(+43 from 2007)
0.03953
2007375
(+3 from 2006)
819
(+27 from 2006)
0.03697
2006378
(-22 from 2005)
792
(-38 from 2005)
0.03613
2005356
(-1 from 2004)
830
(+38 from 2004)
0.03902
2004355
(-4 from 2003)
792
(-3 from 2003)
0.03748
2003351
(-25 from 2002)
795
(-49 from 2002)
0.03784
2002326
(-7 from 2001)
844
(-37 from 2001)
0.04084
2001319
(-3 from 2000)
881
(-33 from 2000)
0.04259
2000316
(+4 from 1999)
914
(+40 from 1999)
0.04377
1999320
(-31 from 1998)
874
(-109 from 1998)
0.04286
1998289
(-2 from 1997)
983
(+10 from 1997)
0.04848
1997287
(-11 from 1996)
973
(-35 from 1996)
0.04870
1996276
(-22 from 1995)
1008
(-105 from 1995)
0.05031
1995254
(-6 from 1994)
1113
(-47 from 1994)
0.05534
1994248
(-14 from 1993)
1160
(-81 from 1993)
0.05691
1993234
(-15 from 1992)
1241
(-171 from 1992)
0.06008
1992219
(-7 from 1991)
1412
(-65 from 1991)
0.06726
1991212
(-15 from 1990)
1477
(-64 from 1990)
0.06968
1990197
(-8 from 1989)
1541
(+8 from 1989)
0.07161
1989189
(-6 from 1988)
1533
(-20 from 1988)
0.07314
1988183
(-6 from 1987)
1553
(-4 from 1987)
0.07756
1987177
(-7 from 1986)
1557
(-14 from 1986)
0.07984
1986170
(-12 from 1985)
1571
(-145 from 1985)
0.08175
1985158
(+1 from 1984)
1716
(+16 from 1984)
0.08917
1984159
(-2 from 1983)
1700
(-47 from 1983)
0.09058
1983157
No change from 1982
1747
(-47 from 1982)
0.09374
1982157
(-5 from 1981)
1794
(-8 from 1981)
0.09506
1981152
(-5 from 1980)
1802
(-19 from 1980)
0.09676
1980147
(-4 from 1979)
1821
(-42 from 1979)
0.09818
1979143
(-2 from 1978)
1863
(-11 from 1978)
0.10400
1978141
(-6 from 1977)
1874
(-95 from 1977)
0.10968
1977135
(+2 from 1976)
1969
(+65 from 1976)
0.11519
1976137
(-9 from 1975)
1904
(-117 from 1975)
0.11662
1975128
(-2 from 1974)
2021
(-54 from 1974)
0.12457
1974126
(-7 from 1973)
2075
(-130 from 1973)
0.12728
1973119
No change from 1972
2205
(-191 from 1972)
0.13665
1972119
(-2 from 1971)
2396
(-420 from 1971)
0.14313
1971117
(-6 from 1970)
2816
(-165 from 1970)
0.15491
1970111
(-14 from 1969)
2981
(-156 from 1969)
0.15650
196997
(+1 from 1968)
3137
(+95 from 1968)
0.17150
196898
(-4 from 1967)
3042
(-269 from 1967)
0.17134
196794
(+2 from 1966)
3311
(-172 from 1966)
0.18607
196696
No change from 1965
3483
(-293 from 1965)
0.19162
196596
(-7 from 1964)
3776
(-373 from 1964)
0.19930
196489
(+2 from 1963)
4149
(-122 from 1963)
0.20468
196391
No change from 1962
4271
(-171 from 1962)
0.20686
196291
(-6 from 1961)
4442
(-371 from 1961)
0.21135
196185
(-3 from 1960)
4813
(-381 from 1960)
0.22313
196082
(-6 from 1959)
5194
(-278 from 1959)
0.23987
195976
(-4 from 1958)
5472
(-191 from 1958)
0.25258
195872
(-6 from 1957)
5663
(-392 from 1957)
0.26280
195766
(-6 from 1956)
6055
(-233 from 1956)
0.27662
195660
(-4 from 1955)
6288
(-281 from 1955)
0.29298
195556
(-4 from 1954)
6569
(-289 from 1954)
0.31427
195452
(-2 from 1953)
6858
(-141 from 1953)
0.33144
195350
(-3 from 1952)
6999
(-237 from 1952)
0.34956
195247
(-3 from 1951)
7236
(-178 from 1951)
0.36670
195144
(+2 from 1950)
7414
(+254 from 1950)
0.38783
195046
(-2 from 1949)
7160
(-320 from 1949)
0.39366
194944
No change from 1948
7480
(-99 from 1948)
0.41509
194844
(-6 from 1947)
7579
(-676 from 1947)
0.42513
194738
(-2 from 1946)
8255
(+718 from 1946)
0.44440
194636
(-2 from 1945)
7537
(+736 from 1945)
0.45668
194534
(-4 from 1944)
6801
(-453 from 1944)
0.49590
194430
No change from 1943
7254
(-531 from 1943)
0.52219
194330
(-1 from 1942)
7785
(-243 from 1942)
0.53519
194229
(+4 from 1941)
8028
(+1291 from 1941)
0.57005
194133
No change from 1940
6737
(+226 from 1940)
0.53687
194033
(-1 from 1939)
6511
(+132 from 1939)
0.54891
193932
No change from 1938
6379
(-145 from 1938)
0.56287
193832
(-1 from 1937)
6524
(+203 from 1937)
0.57405
193731
(-1 from 1936)
6321
(+57 from 1936)
0.57798
193630
(-1 from 1935)
6264
(-284 from 1935)
0.58856
193529
No change from 1934
6548
(+105 from 1934)
0.61220
193429
(-4 from 1933)
6443
(-82 from 1933)
0.60672
193325
No change from 1932
6525
(-391 from 1932)
0.63959
193225
(-2 from 1931)
6916
(-609 from 1931)
0.64369
193123
No change from 1930
7525
(-759 from 1930)
0.70342
193023
(-1 from 1929)
8284
(-185 from 1929)
0.73341
192922
No change from 1928
8469
(-412 from 1928)
0.76462
192822
No change from 1927
8881
(-457 from 1927)
0.77824
192722
(-2 from 1926)
9338
(-127 from 1926)
0.80367
192620
No change from 1925
9465
(-521 from 1925)
0.82632
192520
No change from 1924
9986
(-186 from 1924)
0.86728
192420
(-1 from 1923)
10172
(+248 from 1923)
0.87012
192319
No change from 1922
9924
(-190 from 1922)
0.87647
192219
No change from 1921
10114
(-413 from 1921)
0.89886
192119
(-1 from 1920)
10527
(+291 from 1920)
0.92510
192018
(+1 from 1919)
10236
(+696 from 1919)
0.92988
191919
(-2 from 1918)
9540
(-565 from 1918)
0.93960
191817
No change from 1917
10105
(+823 from 1917)
0.96362
191717
(+1 from 1916)
9282
(+361 from 1916)
0.96757
191618
No change from 1915
8921
(+357 from 1915)
0.96627
191518
No change from 1914
8564
(+1923 from 1914)
0.97216
191418
(-1 from 1913)
6641
(+1219 from 1913)
0.97187
191317
(-2 from 1912)
5422
(+737 from 1912)
1.01110
191215
(+3 from 1911)
4685
(+2309 from 1911)
1.03775
191118
(-1 from 1910)
2376
(+434 from 1910)
0.98428
191017
(+1 from 1909)
1942
(+277 from 1909)
0.93134
190918
(-2 from 1908)
1665
(+64 from 1908)
0.94141
190816
No change from 1907
1601
(+48 from 1907)
0.96233
190716
(-1 from 1906)
1553
(+67 from 1906)
0.97929
190615
(+1 from 1905)
1486
(-19 from 1905)
1.03147
190516
(-1 from 1904)
1505
(+10 from 1904)
1.05074
190415
No change from 1903
1495
(+60 from 1903)
1.07940
190315
No change from 1902
1435
(-52 from 1902)
1.10963
190215
(-1 from 1901)
1487
(+158 from 1901)
1.12015
190114
(+1 from 1900)
1329
(-524 from 1900)
1.14973
190015
(-1 from 1899)
1853
(+496 from 1899)
1.14295
189914
No change from 1898
1357
(-262 from 1898)
1.17801
189814
No change from 1897
1619
(-28 from 1897)
1.22560
189714
No change from 1896
1647
(-174 from 1896)
1.35064
189614
No change from 1895
1821
(+155 from 1895)
1.41086
189514
No change from 1894
1666
(-46 from 1894)
1.31552
189414
No change from 1893
1712
(+77 from 1893)
1.37078
189314
No change from 1892
1635
(-133 from 1892)
1.35078
189214
No change from 1891
1768
(+254 from 1891)
1.34498
189114
No change from 1890
1514
(-96 from 1890)
1.38562
189014
No change from 1889
1610
(-58 from 1889)
1.34503
188914
No change from 1888
1668
(-42 from 1888)
1.40130
188814
No change from 1887
1710
(+221 from 1887)
1.31633
188714
No change from 1886
1489
(-167 from 1886)
1.36217
188614
(+1 from 1885)
1656
(+140 from 1885)
1.39112
188515
(-1 from 1884)
1516
(-174 from 1884)
1.30752
188414
No change from 1883
1690
(+99 from 1883)
1.37692
188314
No change from 1882
1591
(-95 from 1882)
1.41454
188214
No change from 1881
1686
(+111 from 1881)
1.38162
188114
No change from 1880
1575
(-24 from 1880)
1.45462
188014
First SSA data recorded
1599
First SSA data recorded
1.35052

American States Popularity Rankings for Arthur

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1242021#1132022#1062023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1562021#1312022#1302023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1622021#1552022#1332023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1502021#1102022#1172023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#722021#642022#552023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2242021#2242022#2222023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1572021#1522022#962023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1682021#1542022#1182023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1622021#1992022#1692023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1912021#1472022#1572023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3632021#1832022#1852023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1742021#1652022#1742023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1602021#2062022#1532023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1282021#1142022#1052023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1242021#1062022#1042023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#982021#1022022#1072023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2432021#2182022#2272023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1642021#1502022#1112023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1822021#1852022#1952023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1452021#1252022#1482023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#782021#712022#542023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4222021#2052022#2142023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1742021#1232022#1702023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2082021#1562022#1712023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1572021#1662022#1112023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#912021#1002022#842023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#952021#1812022#1172023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2212021#1402022#862023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1302021#772022#1272023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2392021#1972022#1642023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1652021#1212022#1412023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2622021#2962022#1992023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1242021#1172022#872023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1422020#1662022#1012023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2142021#2012022#1462023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1742021#1892022#1182023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2022021#2532022#1882023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1112021#832022#372023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1482021#742022#582023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#342021#472022#412023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2092021#1292022#812023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1252021#1022022#1162023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#732021#1052022#432023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1312021#1002022#862023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1212019#482022#712023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1982021#2382022#1302023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1082021#972022#892023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1342021#1342022#1572023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#961973#1091987#812023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2412021#1552022#2072023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#912020#672021#772023

Popularity Rankings for Arthur in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#12020#22021#22022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#42019#32020#42021

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#42020#52021#82022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#102020#82021#82022

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#92021#152022#10First half of 2023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#212021#122022#112023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#182021#182022#142023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#422021#302022#262023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#272021#312022#322023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#742021#662022#302023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#302020#302021#352022

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#822005#442014

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#612020#612021#642022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#712021#752022#642023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#672021#682022#702023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#872021#812022#862023

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#1151920

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1162022#1272023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2132022#1852023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2532021#3992022#2852023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Arthur a Name for Boys or Girls?

Arthur is most commonly a boy’s name. Its association with the legendary King Arthur, a male figure celebrated in many historical tales and literary works, contributes to its masculine connotation.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Arthur

Arthur in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Arthur Conan Doyle (Author, 1859–1930): The creator of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes.
  • King Arthur (Legendary King): The legendary British king known for the Knights of the Round Table.
  • Arthur Ashe (Tennis Player, 1943–1993): The first African American man to win the US Open and Wimbledon.
  • Arthur Miller (Playwright, 1915–2005): An acclaimed American playwright known for "Death of a Salesman."
  • Arthur Schopenhauer (Philosopher, 1788–1860): A German philosopher best known for his work "The World as Will and Representation."
  • Arthur C. Clarke (Author, 1917–2008): A British science fiction writer famous for "2001: A Space Odyssey."
  • Arthur Rimbaud (Poet, 1854–1891): A French poet known for his influence on modern literature and arts.
  • Arthur Brown (Singer, born 1942): An English rock singer known for his flamboyant stage presence and hit song "Fire."
  • Arthur Penn (Director, 1922–2010): An American director famous for the film "Bonnie and Clyde."
  • Arthur Rubinstein (Pianist, 1887–1982): A renowned Polish-American pianist known for his interpretations of Chopin.
  • King Arthur ("Excalibur," 1981 Film): The legendary British leader who led the defense against Saxon invaders and founded the Knights of the Round Table.
  • "Arthur" (1996 TV Series): An animated educational series about an aardvark named Arthur and his adventures with family and friends.
  • Arthur Fleck ("Joker," 2019 Film): A struggling comedian who descends into madness and becomes the infamous Joker.
  • Arthur Read ("Arthur," 1996 TV Series): An 8-year-old aardvark who navigates the challenges of childhood with his friends and family.
  • "Arthur" (1981 Film): A comedy about a wealthy, alcoholic man who must choose between his inheritance and the woman he loves.
  • Arthur Pendragon ("Merlin," 2008 TV Series): A young prince destined to become the legendary King Arthur, guided by the sorcerer Merlin.
  • Arthur Weasley ("Harry Potter," 1997 Novel Series): The patriarch of the Weasley family, known for his fascination with Muggles and his work at the Ministry of Magic.
  • Arthur Dent ("The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," 1979 Novel): An ordinary human who travels through space after Earth is destroyed.
  • "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" (1981 Song by Christopher Cross): A song from the film "Arthur," celebrating the title character's romantic journey.
  • Arthur Shelby ("Peaky Blinders," 2013 TV Series): The eldest Shelby brother and a key member of the Peaky Blinders gang.
  • Arthur Curry ("Aquaman," 2018 Film): A superhero who is the king of Atlantis and protector of the ocean.
  • "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" (2017 Film): A reimagining of the classic tale of King Arthur and his rise to power.
  • Arthur City (Texas, USA): A small unincorporated community in Lamar County, known for its rural setting and close-knit community.
  • Arthur River (Tasmania, Australia): A river in Tasmania known for its scenic beauty and opportunities for kayaking and fishing.
  • Arthur's Seat (Edinburgh, Scotland): An extinct volcano and popular tourist attraction offering panoramic views of the city.
  • Port Arthur (Tasmania, Australia): A historic site and former penal colony, now a popular tourist destination known for its preserved buildings and historical significance.
  • Arthur Pass (Canterbury, New Zealand): A mountain pass and village in the Southern Alps, known for its hiking trails and alpine scenery.
  • Arthur Township (Michigan, USA): A township in Clare County known for its rural charm and agricultural community.
  • Arthur Avenue Street (New York, USA): A street in the Bronx, known for its rich Italian-American culture and authentic cuisine.
  • Arthur's Town (Cat Island, Bahamas): A town on Cat Island known for its beautiful beaches and friendly community.

Similar Names to Arthur