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At a Glance: Name: Arlen – Meaning: pledge (from Irish airleas) – Origin: Irish – Gender: used for both boys and girls – Pronunciation: AHR-lun
Arlen is an Irish name that means "pledge," from the Irish airleas, and it's pronounced AHR-lun. It's a short, soft-sounding name with a clear meaning, a good fit if you like the idea of a name that stands for a promise.
Meaning & Origin of Arlen
Meaning: Pledge (from Irish airleas).
Origin: Irish.
How to Pronounce Arlen
Phonetic: AHR-lun IPA: /ˈɑːrlən/
Popularity of Arlen
Arlen peaked at #380 in 1934, when 206 babies were given the name. In 2024 it ranked #1680, with 99 babies, so it's uncommon today and your child would be unlikely to share it with a classmate.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1909–2024.
Make Arlen Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Arlen, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Arlen mean?
Pledge (from Irish airleas).
How do you pronounce Arlen?
Arlen is pronounced AHR-lun (IPA: /ˈɑːrlən/).
Is Arlen a popular name right now?
Arlen peaked at #380 in 1934 and is ranked #1680 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1909–2024.)
📊 How popular is Arlen? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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