"army, nobleman"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Arliss
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A rare vintage gem from old American heartland
American
English
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Strong
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Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"variant of Arles, Harlis"
Origin: English
Language: English
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The Story of Arliss
Arliss is an Americanized variant of Arles or Harlis, which itself traces back to the Germanic personal name elements hari (army) or earl (nobleman). It may also be a phonetic anglicization of the Irish Ó hEarlais. The -iss suffix gives it a distinctly American frontier-era feel, and it was most common in the rural South and Midwest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Arliss peaked in American usage during the 1920s and 1930s, influenced partly by George Arliss, the acclaimed British-American actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1930. The name faded after mid-century but retained admirers among those seeking vintage Americana names.
Arliss evokes a specific era of American life — the rural, self-reliant world of the early 20th century South and heartland. It appears in old family trees throughout Appalachia and the Gulf Coast as a quiet marker of generational heritage.
Historical Record
Arliss first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 335 babies have been named Arliss in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arliss is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,864 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Actor George Arliss was the first British-born actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor (1930)
- Arliss Howard is a contemporary American actor known for Full Metal Jacket
Arliss in Other Languages
Irish
Earlais
German
Arles
English
Arliss
Popularity Over Time
#4,864
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Arliss
A
Arliss Howard
Actor
1954
American actor known for Full Metal Jacket (1987) and numerous television and film roles
G
George Arliss
Actor
1868
British-American actor and the first British-born winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor, for Disraeli (1929)
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Compare Arliss with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,864
- Total SSA Count
- 21
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Arl
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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 2-1 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
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arliss
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Arliss is also used as a girl name, ranked #69746.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arliss
What does the name Arliss mean?
"army, nobleman" (from Germanic). "variant of Arles, Harlis" (from English). Arliss is an Americanized variant of Arles or Harlis, which itself traces back to the Germanic personal name elements hari (army) or earl (nobleman). It may also be a phonetic anglicization of the Irish Ó hEarlais. The -iss suffix gives it a distinctly American frontier-era feel, and it was most common in the rural South and Midwest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
What is the origin of the name Arliss?
Arliss has Germanic, English, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "army, nobleman". In English, it means "variant of Arles, Harlis".
Is Arliss a boy or girl name?
Arliss is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4864. As a girl name, it is ranked #69746. Arliss is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Arliss?
Arliss is currently ranked #4864 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Arliss?
Common nicknames for Arliss include Arl.
What are good middle names for Arliss?
Popular middle name pairings include Arliss James, Arliss Wayne, Arliss Dean, Arliss Roy, Arliss Lee, Arliss Dale, and Arliss Scott.
What are good sibling names for Arliss?
Names that pair well with Arliss as siblings include Harlan, Merle, Floyd, Clovis, Dolores, Norma, and Elma.
How many syllables does Arliss have?
Arliss has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Arliss a common or rare name?
Arliss is an uncommon name, ranked #4864 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Arliss?
About the Name Arliss
Arliss is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "army, nobleman" in Germanic .
Is Arliss a boy or girl name? Arliss is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,864 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #69,746. Arliss is more commonly used as a boy name.
Arliss is currently ranked #4,864 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Arliss has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Arliss include Arl. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arliss include Arlin, Arlington . 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