"from Arles (city in France)"
Origin: French/Latin
Language: English
Arlis
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A rare American vintage with rugged frontier character
American
English
Vintage
Strong
Earthy
Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"pledge or oath"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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The Story of Arlis
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.
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.
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.
Historical Record
Arlis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 747 babies have been named Arlis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arlis is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,203 for boy names in the US .
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
Latin
Arelas
French
Arles
Popularity Over Time
#5,203
Current Rank
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Arlis
G
George Arliss
Actor
1868
British-American stage and film actor, the first British actor to win an Academy Award (1930)
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Compare Arlis with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,203
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ari
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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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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, 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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arlis
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Arlis is also used as a girl name, ranked #70181.
View Arlis as a girl name →Similar Names
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Hawaiian (adapted from Charles) origin
"man, free man"
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Old French origin
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Ancient Greek origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arlis
What does the name Arlis mean?
"from Arles (city in France)" (from French/Latin). "pledge or oath" (from Germanic). 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.
What is the origin of the name Arlis?
Arlis has French/Latin, Germanic, American, and English origins. In French/Latin, it means "from Arles (city in France)". In Germanic, it means "pledge or oath".
Is Arlis a boy or girl name?
Arlis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5203. As a girl name, it is ranked #70181. Arlis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Arlis?
Arlis is currently ranked #5203 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Arlis?
Common nicknames for Arlis include Ari.
What are good middle names for Arlis?
Popular middle name pairings include Arlis James, Arlis Wade, Arlis Lee, Arlis Wayne, Arlis Ray, and Arlis Dale.
What are good sibling names for Arlis?
Names that pair well with Arlis as siblings include Floyd, Virgil, Lester, Ruby, Pearl, and Loretta.
How many syllables does Arlis have?
Arlis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Arlis a common or rare name?
Arlis is an uncommon name, ranked #5203 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Arlis?
About the Name Arlis
Arlis is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "from Arles (city in France)" in French/Latin .
Is Arlis a boy or girl name? Arlis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,203 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,181. Arlis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Arlis is currently ranked #5,203 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Arlis has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Arlis include Ari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arlis include Arlin, Arlington, 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