Arlen is a unique and distinctive given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname "Arlean," which is believed to have been originally a habitational name from a place in Scotland called Arleth or Arley.
The meaning behind the name Arlen is not explicitly clear, as it does not come from any known word roots. However, it is often associated with the Gaelic word "aral" which means "between two slopes," possibly referring to the location of the original settlement.
Historically, the name Arlen has been more common in Scotland and Ireland than elsewhere. It was first recorded as a personal name in the late 13th century, appearing in the Scottish Exchequer Rolls of 1296. Since then, it has remained relatively rare but has gained some popularity in recent years.
Today, Arlen is often considered a unisex name, although it may still be more commonly associated with males due to its historical usage. It is a strong and memorable name that stands out from the crowd while also having a rich history behind it.
The name Arlen has seen a fluctuating pattern of popularity over the past century in the United States. Between 1918 and 1945, there were only a handful of births each year, with the number ranging from 5 to 12. However, starting in the late 1940s, we begin to see a steady increase in the popularity of this name.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Arlen's popularity peaked with more than 10 births each year, reaching its highest point in 2000 with 26 births. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with over 15 births per year from 2000 to 2004.
After a slight decline between 2005 and 2010, Arlen's popularity started to rise again, reaching 23 births in 2011. Since then, the name has remained popular, with more than 15 births each year up until 2023.
Overall, over the past century, there have been a total of 767 babies named Arlen born in the United States. This demonstrates that while the popularity of this name may ebb and flow over time, it has maintained a consistent presence on the American naming landscape.