An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.
Harlen is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, a variant of Harlan or Harland, from a place name meaning 'hare land' or 'rocky land.' It carries a vintage Americana feel, particularly associated with the American South and Midwest.
Harlen climbed 3061 spots in the last 20 years — from #5345 to #2284.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 294 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 509 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 195 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 110 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 97 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 112 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 197 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 254 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 361 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 517 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 441 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 248 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 10 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 62 | #2284 |
| 2023 | 64 | #2229 |
| 2022 | 59 | #2388 |
| 2021 | 59 | #2331 |
| 2020 | 50 | #2564 |
| 2019 | 60 | #2298 |
| 2018 | 53 | #2453 |
| 2017 | 61 | #2199 |
| 2016 | 56 | #2346 |
| 2015 | 60 | #2240 |
| 2014 | 44 | #2727 |
| 2013 | 39 | #2909 |
| 2012 | 43 | #2792 |
| 2011 | 51 | #2452 |
| 2010 | 42 | #2841 |
| 2009 | 38 | #3070 |
| 2008 | 33 | #3371 |
| 2007 | 20 | #4695 |
| 2006 | 22 | #4279 |
| 2005 | 19 | #4533 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Harlen has also been given to 104 girls in the U.S. since 2014.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1907–2024) · Methodology