Arlen vs Virgil

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 →

Virgil

Boy #1,544 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"staff bearer, wand wielder"

Origin: Latin (virga, staff/rod)

Cultural Roots

English American French Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,544
Total SSA Count
114
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Virg, Gilly

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Virgil →

Popularity Comparison

Arlen Rank #1,688
Virgil Rank #1,544

Virgil is more popular, ranked #1544 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

Virgil ___

  • Virgil James
  • Virgil Scott
  • Virgil Lee
  • Virgil Allen
  • Virgil Augustus
  • Virgil Kent

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Arlen

Marlowe Harlan Cora Vivian Dale

If you choose Virgil

Horace Augustus Beatrice Cornelius Lavinia

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 Virgil more popular?

Virgil is more popular, ranked #1544 compared to Arlen at #1688 in the United States.

What do Arlen and Virgil mean?

Arlen means "pledge, oath" (Irish Gaelic origin). Virgil means "staff bearer, wand wielder" (Latin (virga, staff/rod) origin).

Are Arlen and Virgil boy or girl names?

Arlen is primarily a boy name. Virgil is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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