Arless is a unique and distinctive given name of unclear origin. While it does not appear to have a widely recognized etymology, there are a few possible explanations for its origins.
One theory suggests that Arless may be a variant spelling of the name Harold. Harold is an English name derived from the Old German words "hahild," meaning army, and "-ric," meaning power or ruler. If Arless is indeed a variant of Harold, it could be interpreted as meaning "army ruler" or "powerful commander."
Another possibility is that Arless is derived from the Scottish surname Arless, which has its origins in Scotland's southern border region. The name may have been given to someone who lived near an alder tree (the Old English word for alder is "æþel"), or it could be a variant of the name Earls, which was originally an occupational name for an earl or nobleman.
There are also references to Arless as a place name in France. The commune of Arless is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, near the border with Italy. It is possible that Arless could have been given as a name inspired by this location.
The history of the name Arless is not well-documented, and it does not appear to have been particularly common throughout history. There are no famous historical figures named Arless, and it has never been among the most popular names in any country or region.
Despite its unclear origins and lack of widespread use, Arless remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents looking for something different for their child. While it may not have a clear-cut meaning or etymology, Arless has a certain charm and elegance that makes it stand out from more common names. Ultimately, the meaning and history of Arless will likely vary depending on the individual and the family traditions they come from.
The name Arless experienced a brief surge in popularity during the early to mid-20th century in the United States, with a total of 65 babies given this name between 1917 and 1938. The highest number of births occurred in 1920, with nine newborns named Arless. This was followed by years with seven (1918) and six (1928, 1933) babies given the name. Despite these peaks, the name's popularity was short-lived, as it fell to five or fewer births in most of the other recorded years.