A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Arla since 1888
Babies named Arla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 36 |
| 1900s | 46 |
| 1910s | 210 |
| 1920s | 400 |
| 1930s | 547 |
| 1940s | 465 |
| 1950s | 397 |
| 1960s | 242 |
| 1970s | 111 |
| 1980s | 75 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 10 |
| 2010s | 90 |
| 2020s | 145 |
Meaning & origin
Arla first entered the U.S. naming record in 1888 and saw its peak of use in 1934, a high point that aligns with its modest popularity in the 1930s. After decades of infrequent use, the name began a steady rise again in 2003, reflecting a broader trend of reviving vintage soft-sounding names. By 2025, Arla ranked 4,987th nationally, with approximately 1 in 61,818 newborn girls receiving the name. Its trajectory indicates a growing, though still uncommon, choice for parents seeking a name that feels both classic and fresh.
Arla is likely a modern feminine elaboration of Arlo, which itself may derive from Old English elements meaning 'fortified hill' or from the Anglo-Saxon personal name *Eorl*. Alternatively, Arlo has been linked to the Irish word *oak* via the surname O'Harlow. Arla first appeared in the late 19th century and saw modest use in the 1920s and 1930s, with a recent revival in the 21st century.
“Arla” around the world
Where Arla lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Arlie
Sibling names for Arla
Names that share Arla's style, for a brother or sister.
