An uncommon Irish pick — distinctive and rare.
A surname.
Arlen is a boy's and girl's baby name of Irish origin, from the Irish Arland or an anglicization of the Gaelic Arluinn, meaning 'pledge' or 'oath.' It is also found as a surname across Irish and American records.
Arlen peaked in the mid-20th century, when it appeared in the U.S. top 500, with over 7,200 total births recorded. It has a crisp, mid-century American sound — the kind of name you'd find on a jazz musician's album cover or in a noir screenplay.
Arlen climbed 1399 spots in the last 20 years — from #3079 to #1680.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 434 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 512 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 318 | — |
| 1990s | 327 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 373 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 347 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 601 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 1,220 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 957 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,648 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 389 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 106 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 5 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 99 | #1680 |
| 2023 | 101 | #1681 |
| 2022 | 80 | #1937 |
| 2021 | 88 | #1790 |
| 2020 | 66 | #2114 |
| 2019 | 67 | #2131 |
| 2018 | 55 | #2388 |
| 2017 | 66 | #2092 |
| 2016 | 60 | #2232 |
| 2015 | 59 | #2255 |
| 2014 | 53 | #2406 |
| 2013 | 42 | #2766 |
| 2012 | 42 | #2815 |
| 2011 | 41 | #2856 |
| 2010 | 27 | #3817 |
| 2009 | 34 | #3278 |
| 2008 | 26 | #3932 |
| 2007 | 31 | #3451 |
| 2006 | 43 | #2700 |
| 2005 | 47 | #2433 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Arlen has also been given to 786 girls in the U.S. since 1918.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1909–2024) · Methodology