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Arlis

Boy Name #5,203 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A rare American vintage with rugged frontier character

American English
Vintage Strong Earthy Bold

Meaning & Origin

"from Arles (city in France)"
Origin: French/Latin
Language: English
"pledge or oath"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English

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.

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

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)

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

Arlin #2419 Arlington #4649 Arliss #4864

Common Nicknames

Ari

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Floyd Virgil Lester Ruby Pearl Loretta

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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

Ellis Davis Travis Ennis Elvis Jarvis Elis Carver

Compare Arlis with...

Arlis vs Ellis Arlis vs Davis Arlis vs Travis Arlis vs Ennis

Same Origin Names (American)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Emma #2 Oliver #3 Amelia #3 Theodore #4 Charlotte #4

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.

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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