Arles is a unique and distinctive name of French origin. It is derived from the city of Arles in southern France, which was founded by the Romans over two thousand years ago. The city takes its name from the Celtic tribe that inhabited the region before the Roman conquest.
The name Arles has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. In fact, it was first recorded as a given name during the Middle Ages in France. However, it is not clear whether this use of the name was inspired by the city or if it had already existed independently before then.
The meaning behind the name Arles is somewhat unclear, as there are no known specific meanings associated with it. Some sources suggest that it may be derived from the Celtic element "ar," which means "between two rivers." This could be a reference to the city's location between the Rhône and the Durance rivers. However, this interpretation is not universally accepted.
Despite its uncertain meaning, Arles has become a popular name in France over time. It was particularly common during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since declined in popularity. Nevertheless, it remains a distinctive and memorable name that evokes images of ancient history and French culture.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Arles has had a varied history of popularity among parents naming their children in the United States over the past century.
The earliest recorded year for the name Arles is 1908, with five births that year. There was then a gap until 1912 when six babies were named Arles. The peak years for the name's popularity seem to be around the early-to-mid 1930s and again in the late 2010s:
* In the 1930s, the number of births peaked at nine (in 1926), with several years fluctuating between five and ten births.
* Fast forward to the 2010s, there was another peak with eleven births in 2012, followed by drops down to five births per year from 2013 to 2015. However, the name made a resurgence recently with ten births recorded in 2020.
Overall, while Arles may not be one of the most popular names, it has maintained a consistent presence among newborns throughout the decades. With a total of 205 births recorded over time, there is a noticeable trend that peaks every few decades before tapering off again.