Arlen is a unique and distinctive given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname "Arlean," which is believed to have been originally a habitational name from a place in Scotland called Arleth or Arley.
The meaning behind the name Arlen is not explicitly clear, as it does not come from any known word roots. However, it is often associated with the Gaelic word "aral" which means "between two slopes," possibly referring to the location of the original settlement.
Historically, the name Arlen has been more common in Scotland and Ireland than elsewhere. It was first recorded as a personal name in the late 13th century, appearing in the Scottish Exchequer Rolls of 1296. Since then, it has remained relatively rare but has gained some popularity in recent years.
Today, Arlen is often considered a unisex name, although it may still be more commonly associated with males due to its historical usage. It is a strong and memorable name that stands out from the crowd while also having a rich history behind it.
It seems like the name Arlen experienced periods of popularity and decline over the years. There were several years with just a few births (5 or fewer), but there are also notable spikes such as 1989 with 13 births, 1998 with 19 births, 2007 with 31 births, and recently in 2022 with 24 births. Overall, since 1918, there have been a total of 767 babies named Arlen born.