"pledge, oath"
Origin: Irish/Gaelic
Language: English
Arlene
Pronunciation: [ AHRL-een ]
Does Arlene flow with your last name?
A mid-century American classic with Irish roots
Irish
American
English
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Meaning & Origin
"eagle"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
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The Story of Arlene
Arlene is believed to derive from the Irish/Gaelic name Airlin or from a diminutive of 'Arline,' itself possibly linked to names meaning 'pledge' or 'oath.' The name gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century alongside similarly melodic -ene names like Charlene, Darlene, and Marlene.
Arlene peaked in the 1940s and 1950s in the United States, boosted by actress and TV personality Arlene Francis, who was a beloved panelist on 'What's My Line?' from 1950-1975. Its popularity has steadily declined since the 1970s.
Arlene is strongly associated with mid-20th century American culture, a time when '-ene' and '-ine' endings were fashionable for girls' names. It evokes the era of classic Hollywood and early television.
Historical Record
Arlene first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 48,164 babies have been named Arlene in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arlene is past its peak , currently ranked #1,817 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Arlene Francis was nicknamed 'The Queen of Television' and was one of the first women to become a major TV personality
- The name appeared frequently in pop culture of the 1940s-60s, including as a character in the Garfield comic strip
Arlene in Other Languages
Irish
Airlin
French
Arline
Italian
Arlena
Spanish
Arlena
Popularity Over Time
#1,817
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Arlene
A
Arlene Francis
Entertainer
1907
American actress and television personality, beloved panelist on 'What's My Line?' for 25 years
A
Arlene Fictional
Other
Jon's sarcastic girlfriend cat in the Garfield comic strip by Jim Davis
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Compare Arlene with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,817
- Total SSA Count
- 111
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Arly
Arlie
Lena
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arlene
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Arlene is also used as a boy name, ranked #13552.
View Arlene as a boy name →Similar Names
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Compare Arlene with...
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Old High German origin
"of noble birth"
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Old French surname variant origin
"from the alder grove"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arlene
What does the name Arlene mean?
"pledge, oath" (from Irish/Gaelic). "eagle" (from Germanic). Arlene is believed to derive from the Irish/Gaelic name Airlin or from a diminutive of 'Arline,' itself possibly linked to names meaning 'pledge' or 'oath.' The name gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century alongside similarly melodic -ene names like Charlene, Darlene, and Marlene.
What is the origin of the name Arlene?
Arlene has Irish/Gaelic, Germanic, Irish, American, and English origins. In Irish/Gaelic, it means "pledge, oath". In Germanic, it means "eagle".
Is Arlene a boy or girl name?
Arlene is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1817. As a boy name, it is ranked #13552. Arlene is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Arlene?
Arlene is pronounced AHRL-een.
How popular is the name Arlene?
Arlene is currently ranked #1817 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Arlene?
Common nicknames for Arlene include Arly, Arlie, and Lena.
What are good middle names for Arlene?
Popular middle name pairings include Arlene Marie, Arlene Rose, Arlene Jean, Arlene Ann, Arlene Louise, Arlene Kay, and Arlene Mae.
What are good sibling names for Arlene?
Names that pair well with Arlene as siblings include Shirley, Beverly, Donna, Gary, Dennis, and Lorraine.
How many syllables does Arlene have?
Arlene has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Arlene a common or rare name?
Arlene is an uncommon name, ranked #1817 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Arlene?
About the Name Arlene
Arlene is a girl name with Irish, American, and English origins . The name means "pledge, oath" in Irish/Gaelic .
Is Arlene a boy or girl name? Arlene is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,817 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #13,552. Arlene is more commonly used as a girl name.
Arlene is currently ranked #1,817 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Arlene has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHRL-een, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Arlene include Arly, Arlie, and Lena. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arlene include Arleth, Arlette, Arlet, Arlett, Arlee . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis