A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Arlan since 1912
Babies named Arlan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 90 |
| 1920s | 264 |
| 1930s | 604 |
| 1940s | 606 |
| 1950s | 517 |
| 1960s | 309 |
| 1970s | 169 |
| 1980s | 122 |
| 1990s | 104 |
| 2000s | 134 |
| 2010s | 245 |
| 2020s | 270 |
Meaning & origin
Arlan is a rare American name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1912. It reached its highest popularity in 1936, ranking 2390th in 2025, with a 1-in-29,966 incidence. After declining in use for decades, the name has been rising again since 1995, reflecting a revival of 1930s-style revival names. Its highest usage has been in Pennsylvania, New York, and California. The name's uncertain meaning and modern coinage give it a distinctive, open-ended quality that appeals to parents seeking something uncommon yet familiar-sounding.
Arlan is likely a modern coinage, possibly a variant of Arlen, which itself may be from a surname or place name. Another theory is that it is a combination of names such as Arthur and Alan, or an altered form of Harlan. It has been in occasional use in the United States since the early 20th century, with a peak in the 1930s.
Where Arlan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Arlan” around the world
Where Arlan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Arl, Lanny
Sibling names for Arlan
Names that share Arlan's style, for a brother or sister.
