Arlis

Origin & Etymology

Arlis is an Americanized form of Arliss, a name that likely derives either from Arles — the ancient Roman city in southern France famous for its amphitheater and Van Gogh paintings — or from the Old German 'arl,' meaning a kind of eagle. As an American frontier name, it carries the rugged independence of the 19th-century South and Midwest, where place names and surnames were frequently repurposed as given names.

Popularity Story

Arlis saw its peak usage in the early-to-mid 20th century American South and was largely out of fashion by the 1970s. It carries the same vintage appeal as names like Virgil, Floyd, and Arlene, and may appeal to parents seeking genuinely rare names with historic roots.

Cultural Significance

In American Southern naming tradition, one-of-a-kind names like Arlis reflect a fiercely independent spirit — a rejection of fashionable trends in favor of something personal and unique. It has the weathered quality of names handed down through rural families.

Fun Facts

• Arles, France — the possible origin of this name — was where Van Gogh painted Starry Night and over 300 other works
• The name Arliss was used for a 1996-2001 HBO sports comedy series

Arlis in Other Languages