"Eorla's settlement (personal name etymology)"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Arlington
Pronunciation: [ AHRL-ihngt-uhn ]
Does Arlington flow with your last name?
A stately English place name carrying American honor
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Things to Know About This Name
- Arlington National Cemetery is the most famous bearer of this place name — solemn military connotation
The Story of Arlington
Arlington is an English place name composed of Old English elements: earn (eagle) or a personal name Eorla, plus ing (people of, settlement of), plus tun (settlement, farm). The most literal interpretation is settlement of the eagle people. As a given name, Arlington follows the grand American tradition of distinguished place names becoming first names — a tradition that gave us names like Lincoln, Hamilton, and Monroe.
Arlington has been gathering attention as parents seek longer, distinguished-sounding surname-style names with presidential and aristocratic weight. The -ington ending connects it to prestigious names like Wellington and Harrington, signaling status and gravitas.
Arlington is most powerfully associated in American consciousness with Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where over 400,000 service members are buried. This lends the name both solemnity and honor. Arlington was the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, whose estate became the cemetery after the Civil War.
Historical Record
Arlington first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 637 babies have been named Arlington in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arlington is past its peak , currently ranked #4,649 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Arlington National Cemetery is the burial place of President John F. Kennedy
- The Arlington estate belonged to Confederate General Robert E. Lee before the Civil War
- Arlington, Virginia sits directly across the Potomac River from Washington DC
Arlington in Other Languages
French
Arlington
English
Arlington
Spanish
Arlington
Popularity Over Time
#4,649
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Arlington
R
Richard Arlington
Politician
1618
Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, powerful English statesman during the reign of Charles II and one of the CABAL mini...
Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, powerful English statesman during the reign of Charles II and one of the CABAL ministry
A
Arlington National Cemetery
Other
US national military cemetery in Virginia, burial place of over 400,000 veterans including JFK and the Tomb of the Unkno...
US national military cemetery in Virginia, burial place of over 400,000 veterans including JFK and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
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Compare Arlington with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,649
- Total SSA Count
- 22
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Art
Arley
Arly
Linton
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arlington
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Arlington is also used as a girl name, ranked #19692.
View Arlington as a girl name →Similar Names
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Old English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arlington
What does the name Arlington mean?
"Eorla's settlement (personal name etymology)" (from Old English). Arlington is an English place name composed of Old English elements: earn (eagle) or a personal name Eorla, plus ing (people of, settlement of), plus tun (settlement, farm). The most literal interpretation is settlement of the eagle people. As a given name, Arlington follows the grand American tradition of distinguished place names becoming first names — a tradition that gave us names like Lincoln, Hamilton, and Monroe.
What is the origin of the name Arlington?
Arlington has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "Eorla's settlement (personal name etymology)".
Is Arlington a boy or girl name?
Arlington is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4649. As a girl name, it is ranked #19692. Arlington is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Arlington?
Arlington is pronounced AHRL-ihngt-uhn.
How popular is the name Arlington?
Arlington is currently ranked #4649 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Arlington?
Common nicknames for Arlington include Art, Arley, Arly, and Linton.
What are good middle names for Arlington?
Popular middle name pairings include Arlington James, Arlington Scott, Arlington Cole, Arlington Hayes, Arlington Reid, and Arlington Grant.
What are good sibling names for Arlington?
Names that pair well with Arlington as siblings include Hamilton, Lincoln, Wellington, Hadley, Remington, and Sutton.
How many syllables does Arlington have?
Arlington has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Arlington a common or rare name?
Arlington is an uncommon name, ranked #4649 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Arlington?
About the Name Arlington
Arlington is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "Eorla's settlement (personal name etymology)" in Old English .
Is Arlington a boy or girl name? Arlington is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,649 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #19,692. Arlington is more commonly used as a boy name.
Arlington is currently ranked #4,649 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Arlington has 3 syllables and is pronounced AHRL-ihngt-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Arlington include Art, Arley, Arly, and Linton. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arlington include Arlin, Arliss . 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