Arlan Boy

Popularity: #881 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AR-lan /ˈɑːr.lən/

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: pledge; English: noble

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Arlan is believed to have roots in the Old English name "Eorlan," which is derived from the word "eorl," meaning "nobleman" or "chief." This etymology reflects a lineage connected to nobility and leadership, as the term was used in Anglo-Saxon England to denote a person of high rank. The name likely transitioned into various forms through linguistic evolution, influenced by the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which introduced many Old French elements into the English language.

The adaptation of names during this period often involved phonetic changes and the incorporation of French suffixes, leading to variations that would eventually contribute to the modern form of Arlan. Historically, the name Arlan does not have prominent figures or events directly associated with it in the same way as more widely recognized names.

However, its roots in nobility connect it to the broader historical context of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy and the feudal system that characterized medieval England. The name's association with leadership and nobility may have contributed to its endurance in various forms throughout the centuries, even as English naming conventions evolved.

Culturally, names derived from noble lineage often carry connotations of strength, honor, and respect. The name Arlan, while not extensively documented in historical texts, resonates with these qualities due to its etymological background.

The diminutive form "Arly" may also be noted, though its usage and significance are less prominent. Overall, Arlan embodies a connection to historical themes of nobility and leadership, reflecting the values of the societies that embraced such names.

Famous people named Arlan

In this section, you will find notable people named Arlan. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Arlan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Arlan who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Arlan Hamilton is an entrepreneur best known for founding Backstage Capital, authoring the book It's About Damn Time, and advocating for underrepresented founders.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Arlan, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AidanCianLiamNolanDeclanFinn

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Arlan. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ArlenKellanDylanGalenRonanEthanAldenCullen

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Arlan was first seen in the United States in 1912.

Arlan has ranked as high as #1314 nationally, which occurred in 1936, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.

In the past 5 years the name Arlan has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Arlan is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Arlan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Arlan.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 57 57
2024 47 47
2023 49 49
2022 34 34
2021 40 40
2020 43 43
2019 34 34
2018 37 37
2017 29 29
2016 25 25
2015 24 24
2014 18 18
2013 21 21
2012 16 16
2011 22 22
2010 19 19
2009 16 16
2008 12 12
2007 16 16
2006 22 22
2005 15 15
2004 12 12
2003 11 11
2002 13 13
2001 7 7
2000 10 10
1999 8 8
1998 12 12
1997 13 13
1996 7 7
1995 5 5
1994 10 10
1993 12 12
1992 11 11
1991 13 13
1990 13 13
1989 11 11
1988 14 14
1987 14 14
1986 12 12
1985 9 9
1984 10 10
1983 10 10
1982 11 11
1981 16 16
1980 15 15
1979 13 13
1978 15 15
1977 11 11
1976 11 11
1975 13 13
1974 22 22
1973 18 18
1972 20 20
1971 26 26
1970 20 20
1969 20 20
1968 20 20
1967 27 27
1966 26 26
1965 31 31
1964 34 34
1963 29 29
1962 34 34
1961 42 42
1960 46 46
1959 67 67
1958 53 53
1957 52 52
1956 47 47
1955 51 51
1954 55 55
1953 38 38
1952 54 54
1951 53 53
1950 47 47
1949 51 51
1948 66 66
1947 58 58
1946 55 55
1945 65 65
1944 59 59
1943 61 61
1942 56 56
1941 69 69
1940 66 66
1939 65 65
1938 69 69
1937 56 56
1936 87 87
1935 58 58
1934 65 65
1933 63 63
1932 40 40
1931 48 48
1930 53 53
1929 33 33
1928 28 28
1927 33 33
1926 21 21
1925 25 25
1924 28 28
1923 23 23
1922 26 26
1921 27 27
1920 20 20
1919 13 13
1918 16 16
1917 9 9
1916 15 15
1915 11 11
1914 9 9
1913 9 9
1912 8 8

Top States for Arlan (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
PA 9
64%
TX 5
36%