Arlene
How to say it: ar-LEEN · /ɑːrˈliːn/
19th-century coinage or blend, possibly from Irish 'airleas' (pledge); exact origin is uncertain.
Arlene was the 1,280th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 127 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1930s, its births are down about 25% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,290 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #1,280 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 127 |
| Share of births | 1 in 26,105 |
| Peak decade | 1930s |
| Change over 10 years | −25% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,290 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once strong in the 1930s, Arlene has faded steadily since. It sits far below that high now, with further softening likely ahead.
What goes with it
Mellow and soft across two syllables. Lorraine shares its style, while Lena works as a nickname.
Nicknames
- Arlie
- Lena
- Ari
Honouring a Arlene in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Arlene is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Irish.
Famous people named Arlene
- Arlene Foster (born 1970)British politician
- Arlene Dahl (1925–2021)American actress
- Arlene Francis (1907–2001)American actress and television host
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Keep exploring
About as popular as Arlene
Find names you'll both love, starting with Arlene
The one-minute style quiz.