Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Arlen
UnisexIrish, English· “from an Irish or English surname”
- Meaning
- from an Irish or English surname (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Irish, English
- Pronunciation
- AHR-luhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,587
- US babies 2025
- 107
- Best rank
- #380 (1934)
- Peak year
- 1934
Meaning and origin of Arlen
Arlen is often said to mean “from an Irish or English surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish and English roots.
Arlen is a name whose origin is uncertain. It may come from an Irish surname, perhaps connected to the Gaelic ard, "high," or from an English place name, and some link it to the Celtic word for "pledge." None of these is secure. The songwriter Harold Arlen, composer of "Over the Rainbow," took it as his professional surname. It is said AHR-luhn. Boys and girls both receive it, and it sits near Arlo and Harlan in sound, though they are unrelated.
Popularity over time
Arlen first appears in US Social Security records in 1909. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 38 different years, starting in 1928. Its best national rank was #380 in 1934, the same year it reached its highest count of 206 babies. In 2025, 107 babies were named Arlen, and it ranked #1,587 nationally. That is 81% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,645 in 1920, #674 in 1950, #1,658 in 1980, #3,546 in 2000, #3,817 in 2010, and #1,587 in 2025. Of the 7,345 US boys named Arlen since records began, 22% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 1,220 babies. Since 2010, 1,054 more have been named Arlen.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Arlin and Marlin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Arlen ranked highest in Tennessee, Washington, and North Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | #780 | 8 |
| Washington | #907 | 6 |
| North Carolina | #1037 | 7 |
| California | #1366 | 13 |
| Florida | #1857 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Arlen is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 24% of US babies named Arlen were girls and 76% were boys.
Arlen is usually pronounced AHR-luhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-en”.
Middle names for Arlen
A few middle names that flow with Arlen: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Arlen
Similar names
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STEE-vuhn
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Landen Boy
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Braden Boy
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Lists that include Arlen
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Arlen mean?
Arlen is often said to mean “from an Irish or English surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish and English roots.
What is the origin of the name Arlen?
Arlen has Irish and English roots. Arlen is a name whose origin is uncertain.
Is Arlen a popular name?
Not especially. Arlen ranked #1,587 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Arlen a boy or girl name?
Arlen is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 24% of US babies named Arlen were girls and 76% were boys.
How do you pronounce Arlen?
Arlen is usually pronounced AHR-luhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings