Arlena Girl

Popularity: #940 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ar-LEE-nah /ɑːrˈliː.nə/

Origin: English; Latin

Meaning: English: noble; Latin: derived from 'Arlene'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Arlena is believed to have roots in the Hebrew name "Ariel," which means "lion of God." This name was adapted into Greek as "Ariēl" and later into Latin, maintaining its original meaning. The name made its way into English through various translations of biblical texts, particularly during the Renaissance when Hebrew names gained popularity among scholars and the general populace.

The name Ariel appears in the Old Testament, notably in the Book of Isaiah, where it is associated with Jerusalem, further embedding its significance in religious and cultural contexts. Historically, the name Arlena may have emerged as a variant or derivative of Ariel, particularly in the 19th century, when many names were being created or modified to reflect a more feminine form.

The use of -ena as a suffix is common in many names, adding a lyrical quality that was favored in various cultures. The name Ariel itself has been borne by notable figures, including characters in literature, such as Shakespeare's "The Tempest," where Ariel is a spirit, showcasing the name's association with ethereal qualities.

Culturally, names derived from Ariel, including Arlena, have often been linked to themes of strength, divinity, and nature, resonating with the symbolic representation of lions and the divine. This connection to powerful imagery has contributed to the name's endurance in various forms over the centuries.

While Arlena may not have a long historical record, its roots in the more established name Ariel provide a rich tapestry of meaning and significance that reflects both linguistic evolution and cultural heritage.

Famous people named Arlena

In this section, you will find notable people named Arlena. 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 Arlena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Arlena 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.

Arlena Twigg is a writer best known for her novels and contributions to contemporary literature.

Fictional characters named Arlena

The following list of fictional characters named Arlena is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Arlena Stuart is a fictional character from the novel and film Murder on the Orient Express. She is a glamorous actress whose murder serves as the central mystery in the story.

Sibling suggestions

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

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Arlena. 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.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Arlena was first seen in the United States in 1883.

Arlena has ranked as high as #1706 nationally, which occurred in 1919, and has been most popular in California, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Arlena has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Arlena 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 Arlena 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 Arlena.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 8 8
2024 13 13
2023 6 6
2022 9 9
2021 9 9
2020 7 7
2019 11 11
2018 8 8
2017 18 18
2016 8 8
2015 7 7
2014 13 13
2013 6 6
2012 6 6
2011 6 6
2010 9 9
2009 8 8
2008 7 7
2007 10 10
2006 9 9
2005 5 5
2004 14 14
2003 16 16
2002 16 16
2001 13 13
2000 15 15
1999 13 13
1998 15 15
1997 21 21
1996 22 22
1995 29 29
1994 34 34
1993 24 24
1992 34 34
1991 31 31
1990 26 26
1989 18 18
1988 18 18
1987 18 18
1986 15 15
1985 17 17
1984 20 20
1983 22 22
1982 26 26
1981 25 25
1980 23 23
1979 19 19
1978 28 28
1977 25 25
1976 19 19
1975 17 17
1974 27 27
1973 18 18
1972 24 24
1971 22 22
1970 26 26
1969 29 29
1968 24 24
1967 11 11
1966 25 25
1965 24 24
1964 27 27
1963 26 26
1962 26 26
1961 22 22
1960 20 20
1959 24 24
1958 31 31
1957 16 16
1956 13 13
1955 12 12
1954 18 18
1953 20 20
1952 21 21
1951 26 26
1950 30 30
1949 17 17
1948 29 29
1947 18 18
1946 22 22
1945 22 22
1944 20 20
1943 22 22
1942 30 30
1941 24 24
1940 25 25
1939 24 24
1938 25 25
1937 25 25
1936 23 23
1935 19 19
1934 27 27
1933 35 35
1932 33 33
1931 33 33
1930 48 48
1929 33 33
1928 27 27
1927 41 41
1926 33 33
1925 54 54
1924 46 46
1923 34 34
1922 32 32
1921 39 39
1920 45 45
1919 60 60
1918 34 34
1917 32 32
1916 41 41
1915 26 26
1914 28 28
1913 24 24
1912 20 20
1911 20 20
1910 20 20
1909 10 10
1908 22 22
1907 14 14
1906 13 13
1905 15 15
1904 13 13
1903 13 13
1902 16 16
1901 7 7
1900 17 17
1899 9 9
1898 8 8
1897 8 8
1896 8 8
1895 6 6
1894 10 10
1893 6 6
1892 13 13
1890 8 8
1889 5 5
1887 5 5
1886 5 5
1885 5 5
1883 6 6

Top States for Arlena (2002)

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
CA 6
100%