Declining since 1986, #1,631 for girls today.
Popularity of Arlene since 1888
Babies named Arlene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 14 |
| 1890s | 226 |
| 1900s | 846 |
| 1910s | 7,781 |
| 1920s | 21,961 |
| 1930s | 34,796 |
| 1940s | 29,093 |
| 1950s | 20,652 |
| 1960s | 11,234 |
| 1970s | 4,654 |
| 1980s | 3,670 |
| 1990s | 3,190 |
| 2000s | 2,615 |
| 2010s | 1,559 |
| 2020s | 719 |
Meaning & origin
Arlene first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1888, but it achieved its greatest popularity in the 1930s, peaking in 1934. In that era, Arlene was a familiar choice, ranking among the top names for girls. However, since 1986, its usage has steadily fallen, and by 2025 it ranked 1,631 nationally. Approximately 1 in 12,656 newborn girls now receive the name, placing Arlene among the less common choices today. The name has been most heavily used in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states, particularly Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Arlene remains a classic example of the early 20th century trend of creating feminine names with the '-lene' suffix.
Arlene first appeared in the late 19th century, likely as a modern invention combining elements like 'Ar-' (from names such as Ardith or Ardis) with the popular suffix '-lene' found in names like Darlene and Marlene. The name gained steady use in the early 20th century, peaking in popularity during the 1930s. Its exact derivation remains unclear, and no single root or etymological source has been firmly established.
Where Arlene is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Arlie, Lena, Arly
Sibling names for Arlene
Names that share Arlene's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Eileen, Marlene, Darlene, Colleen, Bernice, Arleth, Carleen, Darleen, Deloise, Ilene, Larraine, Lavonne, Marcene, Nadene, Ardelia, Arlean, Arlyn, Arnita, Charlean, Dalene, Darline, Earleen, Erlene, Gaylene, Ileen, Joette, Julene, Karleen, Karlene, Lavone, Margene, Marline, Merlene, Raelene, Shirlene, Vernita, Aldine, Aleene, Ardean, Ardene, Arlys, Charlyne, Claudene, Clydene, Darlean, Dorlene, Geraldean, Harlene, Jerlean, Jerlene, Jerline, Jonita, Ladean, Lajune, Marcine, Marlyce, Marlyne, Marvene, Marvine, Murlene, Oralee, Orlene, Rayma, Rolinda, Sharline, Verline, Aldene, Arlethia, Arlicia, Arlisa, Arloa, Carlyne, Charleene, Darleene, Doylene, Earlyne, Estelene, Everlene, Gearldean, Gearline, Geralene, Gerlene, Glendola, Illene, Jeanenne, Jearlene, Jolaine, Jolane, Jolean, Junella, Ladona, Lestine, Lujean, Luwana, Mardee, Marlaine, Marlane, Marvina, Michaelene, Myrlene, Norlene, Roylene, Waldine, Wylene, Avonne, Berlene, Earlena, Franceen, Gennell, Harlean, Nellene, Alveda, Ardel, Arleatha, Arlyss, Arnella, Arnice, Artina, Cheyrl, Claudeen, Darene, Deloyce, Doralene, Doristine, Eldene, Gelene, Gerene, Glennette, Irlene, Ivalene, Jerelene, Ladelle, Lorrene, Mardene, Marlean, Marvalene, Marvelene, Merleen, Rolene, Roxene, Shelbia, Shirlena, Verleen, Verlinda, Wilene
Brothers: Earl, Harold, Clarence, Raymond, Warren, Luverne, Ardell, Bernell, Jonell, Karlton, Verlon, Arlando, Arnel, Earvin, Lendell, Arlester, Ferlin, Mardell, Orlen, Alvon, Arlander, Lenville, Marrell
Names like Arlene
Names whose popularity has moved with Arlene's over the last 50 years.
