Arlene Girl

Popularity: #821 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AR-leen /ˈɑːr.liːn/

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: English: pledge; Irish: promise

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Arlene is believed to have originated from the Irish name Eireann, which means 'Ireland' or 'from Ireland.' This name was adapted into the English language through various transformations, with influences from Gaelic and Norman French. The name Eireann itself is derived from the Old Irish word 'Ériu,' which is the name of a goddess in Irish mythology, symbolizing the land of Ireland.

The transition into Arlene may have also been influenced by the Old French name 'Arelene,' which is a diminutive form of the name Arel, meaning 'oath' or 'pledge.' This linguistic journey illustrates the blending of Celtic and Norman elements in the development of English names. Historically, the name Arlene gained prominence in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.

It is often associated with the literary works of the time, reflecting the romantic and pastoral themes prevalent in Victorian literature. The name may have been popularized further by its use in various cultural contexts, including theater and music, during the early 20th century.

Notably, the name appears in the works of authors and playwrights, contributing to its recognition in popular culture. Culturally, Arlene carries connotations of beauty and grace, often associated with the ideals of femininity in literature and art.

The name has been embraced in various forms, with diminutives such as Arly or Arlynn occasionally used, reflecting a trend in naming practices that favor softer, more affectionate variations. The enduring quality of the name Arlene can be attributed to its melodic sound and the positive imagery it evokes, allowing it to maintain a presence in the lexicon of names throughout the centuries.

Famous people named Arlene

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

We also feature individuals named Arlene 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.

Arlene Dahl is an actress best known for Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Bride Goes Wild, and Reign of Terror.

Arlene Phillips is a choreographer and television personality best known for her work on Strictly Come Dancing, Starlight Express, and as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.

Fictional characters named Arlene

The following list of fictional characters named Arlene 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.

Arlene is a fictional character from the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball. She is a classmate of Gumball and Darwin, known for her cheerful personality and love for fashion.

Sibling suggestions

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

AileenCelineDarleneMarleenSeleneCharlene

Similar names

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

AdelineCarleenEvelynKatrinaMarinaSelinaSerenaTarlene

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Arlene was first seen in the United States in 1888.

Arlene has ranked as high as #104 nationally, which occurred in 1934, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and Michigan.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Arlene 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 Arlene 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 Arlene.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 127 0 127
2024 112 0 112
2023 112 0 112
2022 119 0 119
2021 115 0 115
2020 134 0 134
2019 120 0 120
2018 114 0 114
2017 153 0 153
2016 148 0 148
2015 171 0 171
2014 150 0 150
2013 159 0 159
2012 157 0 157
2011 179 0 179
2010 208 0 208
2009 194 0 194
2008 234 0 234
2007 225 0 225
2006 242 0 242
2005 307 0 307
2004 244 0 244
2003 285 0 285
2002 318 0 318
2001 280 0 280
2000 286 0 286
1999 313 0 313
1998 304 0 304
1997 319 0 319
1996 302 0 302
1995 297 0 297
1994 298 0 298
1993 342 0 342
1992 369 0 369
1991 332 0 332
1990 314 0 314
1989 348 7 341
1988 341 0 341
1987 364 0 364
1986 359 6 353
1985 347 0 347
1984 350 0 350
1983 369 0 369
1982 421 0 421
1981 413 0 413
1980 371 0 371
1979 325 0 325
1978 355 0 355
1977 391 0 391
1976 416 0 416
1975 408 0 408
1974 435 0 435
1973 501 0 501
1972 500 0 500
1971 605 0 605
1970 718 0 718
1969 737 0 737
1968 719 0 719
1967 778 5 773
1966 911 0 911
1965 1,054 0 1,054
1964 1,225 0 1,225
1963 1,301 6 1,295
1962 1,341 0 1,341
1961 1,560 6 1,554
1960 1,633 8 1,625
1959 1,790 0 1,790
1958 1,778 0 1,778
1957 1,699 6 1,693
1956 1,807 0 1,807
1955 1,987 5 1,982
1954 2,080 5 2,075
1953 2,311 6 2,305
1952 2,335 5 2,330
1951 2,502 0 2,502
1950 2,395 5 2,390
1949 2,395 0 2,395
1948 2,485 5 2,480
1947 2,912 5 2,907
1946 2,808 7 2,801
1945 2,778 7 2,771
1944 2,727 13 2,714
1943 3,153 7 3,146
1942 3,348 17 3,331
1941 3,297 6 3,291
1940 3,272 15 3,257
1939 3,598 20 3,578
1938 3,914 20 3,894
1937 3,828 23 3,805
1936 3,913 15 3,898
1935 3,692 8 3,684
1934 3,930 13 3,917
1933 3,195 10 3,185
1932 3,124 15 3,109
1931 3,228 11 3,217
1930 2,522 13 2,509
1929 2,406 8 2,398
1928 2,531 10 2,521
1927 2,570 7 2,563
1926 2,531 9 2,522
1925 2,280 5 2,275
1924 2,277 0 2,277
1923 2,096 6 2,090
1922 1,890 6 1,884
1921 1,837 0 1,837
1920 1,599 5 1,594
1919 1,427 0 1,427
1918 1,340 0 1,340
1917 1,208 0 1,208
1916 1,110 5 1,105
1915 864 0 864
1914 608 0 608
1913 471 0 471
1912 325 0 325
1911 226 0 226
1910 207 0 207
1909 160 0 160
1908 143 0 143
1907 101 0 101
1906 107 0 107
1905 77 0 77
1904 59 0 59
1903 67 0 67
1902 47 0 47
1901 38 0 38
1900 47 0 47
1899 33 0 33
1898 30 0 30
1897 28 0 28
1896 33 0 33
1895 23 0 23
1894 19 0 19
1893 17 0 17
1892 19 0 19
1891 13 0 13
1890 11 0 11
1889 5 0 5
1888 9 0 9

Top States for Arlene (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
CA 24
43%
TX 12
21%
NY 8
14%
MI 7
13%
OH 5
9%