Arlean is a unique and beautiful name of Irish origin. It is derived from the ancient Irish surname Ó Ryallán, which means "descendant of Ryallán". The name Ryallán itself is thought to come from the Gaelic word "ri" meaning king or ruler, suggesting that the original bearer of the name was someone of high status.
The name Arlean has a rich history in Ireland and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It was often used as a given name for girls, although it could also be used for boys in some cases. Over time, the name evolved and became more commonly associated with women, eventually becoming almost exclusively feminine.
Today, Arlean remains a rare but charming name choice for parents looking for something distinctive and meaningful. Its Irish origins add to its allure, as does its intriguing history. Despite its rarity, there are still many notable people throughout history who have borne the name Arlean, demonstrating its enduring appeal over the centuries.
The given statistics track the annual occurrences of the name Arlean among newborns in the United States from 1892 to 1989. Over this period spanning nearly a century, there were a total of 1,673 babies named Arlean born in the U.S.
The name's popularity fluctuated significantly throughout these years. The earliest data point available is from 1892 with just five births recorded that year. This number doubled to seven in 1894 but dipped back down to six births in 1897. The trend of relatively low numbers continued through the early 1900s, with fewer than ten babies named Arlean born each year until 1912.
However, starting around 1912, we see a marked increase in the number of newborn girls receiving the name Arlean. In fact, between 1912 and 1927, there were at least 20 births each year, with peaks occurring in 1914 (30 births), 1916 (31 births), and 1918 (44 births). This period represents the highest point of popularity for the name Arlean during the time frame provided.
After this peak, the number of annual Arlean births gradually decreased. By the late 1920s and early 1930s, the count hovered around 30-40 births per year before dropping below 30 in the mid-1930s. This decreasing trend continued throughout the following decades, with fewer than ten Arlean babies born each year from the late 1940s onward.
In more recent years (1960s to 1980s), the name Arlean became quite rare, with annual birth counts ranging from five to thirty. The most recent data point available is from 1989, showing that there were five babies named Arlean born that year in the United States.
In summary, while the name Arlean enjoyed some popularity in the early 20th century, its usage as a baby girl's name has significantly declined over time. Today, it is not one of the more common names chosen for newborn girls in the U.S., but it remains a part of our historical record of naming trends.