Arley Unisex

Popularity: #846 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AR-lee /ˈɑːrli/

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: 'eagle meadow'; Old English: 'hare clearing'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Arley has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "aer" meaning "eagle" and "leah" meaning "clearing" or "meadow." This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "eagle's meadow" or "clearing where eagles are found." The name evolved through various forms in the English language, with its earliest occurrences noted in the medieval period. It was initially used as a surname, often denoting geographical locations in England, before transitioning into a given name in the 19th century.

Historically, the name Arley can be linked to several notable locations in England, such as Arley in Cheshire and Arley in Warwickshire, which contributed to its recognition as a place name. The use of Arley as a personal name became more prominent during the Victorian era, a time marked by a revival of interest in traditional names and their meanings.

While not associated with any specific biblical figures or saints, the name's connection to nature and wildlife resonates with the Romantic ideals of the time, which celebrated the beauty of the natural world. Culturally, Arley embodies themes of strength and freedom, as suggested by its association with the eagle.

This symbolism has allowed the name to endure across generations, appealing to those who appreciate its historical and natural connotations. The name may also have diminutive forms, such as Arlo, which emerged later and carry similar thematic significance.

Overall, Arley's etymological roots and historical associations contribute to its lasting presence in the English-speaking world.

Famous people named Arley

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

We also feature individuals named Arley 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.

Arley Erskine is a writer best known for his novels and contributions to literature.

Sibling suggestions

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

HarleyCharlieRileyCarlyFinleyKylie

Similar names

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

AldenArlenAveryCarterKendallMarleyWiley

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Arley was first seen in the United States in 1884.

Arley has ranked as high as #3018 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Arizona.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Arley 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 Arley 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 Arley.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 126 92 34
2024 106 73 33
2023 115 83 32
2022 103 68 35
2021 92 56 36
2020 102 68 34
2019 119 88 31
2018 97 64 33
2017 82 47 35
2016 73 51 22
2015 93 61 32
2014 87 63 24
2013 74 46 28
2012 108 90 18
2011 85 56 29
2010 57 37 20
2009 37 21 16
2008 34 20 14
2007 25 11 14
2006 23 12 11
2005 26 16 10
2004 23 10 13
2003 22 10 12
2002 32 19 13
2001 9 9 0
2000 26 11 15
1999 21 12 9
1998 15 9 6
1997 17 8 9
1996 17 10 7
1995 21 14 7
1994 31 24 7
1993 42 42 0
1992 24 19 5
1991 20 15 5
1990 27 27 0
1989 29 29 0
1988 31 22 9
1987 19 11 8
1986 18 11 7
1985 15 8 7
1984 26 11 15
1983 43 13 30
1982 38 11 27
1981 15 10 5
1980 8 8 0
1979 11 11 0
1978 6 6 0
1977 11 11 0
1976 11 11 0
1975 10 10 0
1974 11 11 0
1973 7 7 0
1972 7 7 0
1971 10 10 0
1970 8 8 0
1969 12 12 0
1968 9 9 0
1967 12 12 0
1966 13 13 0
1965 17 17 0
1964 10 10 0
1963 16 16 0
1962 14 14 0
1961 18 18 0
1960 15 15 0
1959 19 19 0
1958 21 21 0
1957 17 17 0
1956 26 26 0
1955 21 21 0
1954 21 21 0
1953 13 13 0
1952 21 21 0
1951 33 33 0
1950 25 25 0
1949 19 19 0
1948 31 31 0
1947 29 29 0
1946 38 38 0
1945 30 30 0
1944 37 37 0
1943 32 32 0
1942 39 39 0
1941 28 28 0
1940 37 37 0
1939 29 29 0
1938 28 28 0
1937 48 48 0
1936 44 44 0
1935 42 37 5
1934 43 43 0
1933 50 42 8
1932 46 46 0
1931 43 37 6
1930 45 37 8
1929 63 53 10
1928 54 46 8
1927 62 57 5
1926 66 60 6
1925 56 50 6
1924 48 40 8
1923 59 59 0
1922 74 63 11
1921 54 48 6
1920 52 44 8
1919 42 42 0
1918 54 47 7
1917 53 46 7
1916 47 42 5
1915 54 54 0
1914 30 30 0
1913 22 22 0
1912 21 21 0
1911 13 7 6
1910 7 7 0
1908 12 12 0
1907 6 6 0
1906 7 7 0
1905 8 8 0
1904 9 9 0
1903 14 9 5
1902 5 5 0
1901 6 6 0
1900 8 8 0
1899 12 7 5
1898 5 5 0
1897 10 10 0
1896 9 9 0
1895 7 7 0
1894 8 8 0
1893 7 7 0
1892 9 9 0
1890 11 6 5
1887 6 6 0
1886 5 5 0
1885 9 9 0
1884 6 0 6

Top States for Arley (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 22
48%
TX 13
28%
WA 6
13%
AZ 5
11%