"eagle, noble strength"
Origin: Germanic
Language: French
Arlette
Pronunciation: [ ahrl-EHT ]
Does Arlette flow with your last name?
The mother of English history, forgotten no more
French
Norman
English
Vintage
Elegant
Unique
Sophisticated
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"little eagle"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
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The Story of Arlette
Arlette is a French name derived from the Germanic elements 'arn' meaning eagle and '-lette' a French diminutive suffix, making it essentially a feminine diminutive of Arnold or Arland. Its most famous historical bearer was Arlette of Falaise, the mother of William the Conqueror — a tanner's daughter whose son conquered England in 1066 and changed Western history forever. The name is Norman-French in character and has been used in France and Belgium for centuries.
Arlette was particularly popular in France and Belgium during the 1920s-1950s, associated with actress Arletty (born Léonie Bathiat), one of the great stars of French cinema. The name has declined in France but is now attracting attention from English-speaking parents seeking rare, elegant French names with real historical significance.
Arlette of Falaise's place in history is unique: as the mother of William the Conqueror, she is arguably the most historically consequential woman of the medieval era who is rarely discussed. French actress Arletty, known for 'Les Enfants du Paradis' (1945), gave the name its 20th-century cultural cachet.
Historical Record
Arlette first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 6,661 babies have been named Arlette in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arlette is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #583 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Arlette of Falaise was the mother of William the Conqueror — her son's 1066 invasion permanently transformed the English language and culture
- French actress Arletty's 1945 film 'Les Enfants du Paradis' is considered one of the greatest films ever made
- The name is distinctly Norman-French and is rarely found outside French-speaking cultures, making it genuinely rare in English-speaking countries
Arlette in Other Languages
French
Arlette
Norman
Arlette
Belgian
Arlette
Popularity Over Time
#583
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Arlette
A
Arletty
Actor
1898
Legendary French actress born Léonie Bathiat, star of 'Les Enfants du Paradis' (1945), considered one of the greatest fi...
Legendary French actress born Léonie Bathiat, star of 'Les Enfants du Paradis' (1945), considered one of the greatest films ever made
A
Arlette of Falaise
Other
1003
Mother of William the Conqueror; her son's invasion of England in 1066 transformed Western civilization
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Compare Arlette with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #583
- Total SSA Count
- 516
- Cultural Origins
- French Norman English
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Arla
Lettie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arlette
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arlette
What does the name Arlette mean?
"eagle, noble strength" (from Germanic). "little eagle" (from Old French). Arlette is a French name derived from the Germanic elements 'arn' meaning eagle and '-lette' a French diminutive suffix, making it essentially a feminine diminutive of Arnold or Arland. Its most famous historical bearer was Arlette of Falaise, the mother of William the Conqueror — a tanner's daughter whose son conquered England in 1066 and changed Western history forever. The name is Norman-French in character and has been used in France and Belgium for centuries.
What is the origin of the name Arlette?
Arlette has Germanic, Old French, French, Norman, and English origins. In Germanic, it means "eagle, noble strength". In Old French, it means "little eagle".
Is Arlette a boy or girl name?
Arlette is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Arlette?
Arlette is pronounced ahrl-EHT.
How popular is the name Arlette?
Arlette is currently ranked #583 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Arlette?
Common nicknames for Arlette include Arla and Lettie.
What are good middle names for Arlette?
Popular middle name pairings include Arlette Marie, Arlette Claire, Arlette Louise, Arlette Elise, Arlette Sophie, Arlette Blanc, and Arlette Renée.
What are good sibling names for Arlette?
Names that pair well with Arlette as siblings include Colette, Simone, Marcel, Renée, Odette, Claude, and Violette.
How many syllables does Arlette have?
Arlette has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Arlette a common or rare name?
Arlette is moderately common, ranked #583 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Arlette?
About the Name Arlette
Arlette is a girl name with French, Norman, and English origins . The name means "eagle, noble strength" in Germanic .
Arlette is currently ranked #583 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Arlette has 2 syllables and is pronounced ahrl-EHT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Arlette include Arla and Lettie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arlette include Arleth, Arlet, Arlett, Arlene, 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