"pledge, oath"
Origin: Irish/Gaelic
Language: English
Arlene
Pronunciation: [ AHRL-een ]
Girl Name
#1,817 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A mid-century American classic with Irish roots
Irish
American
English
Vintage
Classic
Traditional
Gentle
Meaning & Origin
"eagle"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Arlene Marie
Arlene Rose
Arlene Jean
Arlene Ann
Arlene Louise
Arlene Kay
Arlene Mae
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Arlene is also used as a boy name, ranked #13552.
View Arlene as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.