Arlene is a feminine given name of American origin. It is a variant of the name Arline, which was derived from the male name Harold. The name Harold is of Old German origin and means "army power" or "noble army". Therefore, Arlene can be interpreted as meaning "army power" or "noble army".
The name Arlene first gained popularity in the United States during the early 20th century. It was often used as a given name for girls born to families of German descent, although it has since become more widely used across different ethnic backgrounds.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Arlene. One of the most famous is American singer and actress Arlene Francis (1907-2001), who was known for her roles on stage, screen, and television. Another notable Arlene is American actress Arleen Sorkin (born 1955), who is best known for her role as Janice Litman-Goralnik on the sitcom "Friends".
Today, Arlene remains a relatively uncommon but beloved name for girls. It has a classic yet unique sound that makes it stand out from more traditional names like Barbara or Margaret. Parents who choose this name for their daughters may do so because they appreciate its historical significance or simply because they like its distinctive sound and spelling.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Arlene in the United States from 1888 to 2023. The data reveals a fluctuating trend over time, with noticeable peaks and valleys.
In the late 19th century, there were fewer than ten births named Arlene each year, starting with just nine in 1888. However, by the early 20th century, the number of annual births with this name began to increase significantly. The most notable peak occurred between 1912 and 1919, during which there were over a thousand births named Arlene each year, reaching a high of 1,594 in 1920.
After World War I, the popularity of the name Arlene continued to rise until it peaked again in 1926 with 2,563 births. This trend persisted throughout the Roaring Twenties and into the early Great Depression era, with over two thousand births named Arlene each year from 1923 to 1934.
However, starting in the mid-1930s, the number of annual births with the name Arlene began a steady decline. This decrease continued through the post-World War II period and into the latter half of the 20th century. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, there were fewer than one thousand births named Arlene each year.
This downward trend persisted throughout most of the 1980s and 1990s, with fewer than five hundred births named Arlene each year from 1985 to 2004. In recent years, the popularity of the name Arlene has continued to decline, with only around one hundred fifty to two hundred births given this name annually since 2007.
In total, there have been 142,768 births named Arlene in the United States from 1888 to 2023. While once popular during the early and mid-20th century, the name Arlene has become increasingly rare in recent decades.