Arlen vs Kelly

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Arlen

Boy #1,688 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pledge, oath"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,688
Total SSA Count
99
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Arl, Ary, Arie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Arlen →

Kelly

Girl #867 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"frequenter of churches"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American Australian English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#867
Total SSA Count
310
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kel

Playground Safety Score

23 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Kelly' rhymes with 'smelly'"}

Full profile for Kelly →

Popularity Comparison

Arlen Rank #1,688
Kelly Rank #867

Kelly is more popular, ranked #867 vs #1688 for Arlen.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Arlen ___

  • Arlen James
  • Arlen Scott
  • Arlen Ray
  • Arlen Dean
  • Arlen Cole

Kelly ___

  • Kelly Anne
  • Kelly Marie
  • Kelly Lynn
  • Kelly Jo
  • Kelly Jean
  • Kelly Renee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Arlen

Marlowe Harlan Cora Vivian Dale

If you choose Kelly

Casey Shannon Ryan Brendan Erin

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlen or Kelly more popular?

Kelly is more popular, ranked #867 compared to Arlen at #1688 in the United States.

What do Arlen and Kelly mean?

Arlen means "pledge, oath" (Irish Gaelic origin). Kelly means "frequenter of churches" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Arlen and Kelly boy or girl names?

Arlen is primarily a boy name. Kelly is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Arlen ← Full profile: Kelly Browse all baby names