Rising since 1986, #494 for girls today.
Popularity of Arlette since 1913
Babies named Arlette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 61 |
| 1920s | 237 |
| 1930s | 241 |
| 1940s | 308 |
| 1950s | 382 |
| 1960s | 399 |
| 1970s | 199 |
| 1980s | 220 |
| 1990s | 415 |
| 2000s | 1,415 |
| 2010s | 1,883 |
| 2020s | 2,349 |
Meaning & origin
Arlette is a French and Italian name with a noble history, derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'army' or 'eagle.' It entered the U.S. records in 1913 but remained rare for decades. In 2025, it ranked 494, with 1 in 2679 baby girls receiving the name. Its popularity has been steadily rising since 1986, and it reached its peak in 2025. The name is most common in New Mexico, Texas, and Nevada. Arlette carries the elegance of Old World names while feeling fresh and rare in modern America. Its soft, feminine sound and historical connection to William the Conqueror's mother make it appealing to parents seeking a name with both charm and depth.
Arlette is a French and Italian diminutive of the names Charlotte or Herleva, derived from Germanic elements meaning 'army' or 'eagle.' It is best known as the name of Herleva, the mother of William the Conqueror, who was known as Arlette in Norman French. The name has been used in French- and Italian-speaking regions since the Middle Ages.
Where Arlette 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.
“Arlette” around the world
Where Arlette 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: Arlie, Lettie, Arla
Sibling names for Arlette
Names that share Arlette's style, for a brother or sister.
