Declining since 1999.
Popularity of Arline since 1883
Babies named Arline per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Arline's real moment was 1936.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 42 |
| 1890s | 265 |
| 1900s | 620 |
| 1910s | 3,125 |
| 1920s | 5,829 |
| 1930s | 4,024 |
| 1940s | 1,866 |
| 1950s | 709 |
| 1960s | 414 |
| 1970s | 136 |
| 1980s | 132 |
| 1990s | 167 |
| 2000s | 166 |
| 2010s | 69 |
| 2020s | 26 |
Meaning & origin
Arline entered the U.S. naming record in 1883 and experienced its peak popularity in 1936, when it was most common among newborns. However, since around 1999 its usage has steadily declined, and it no longer appears in national rankings. The name is part of a cluster of similar-sounding feminine names from the early 20th century, such as Arlene and Arleen. Arline's exact origin remains debated; it may have been formed from the popular suffix -line attached to an Ar- initial, or influenced by the Irish name Eibhlín. Despite its current rarity, Arline retains a vintage charm for those seeking an uncommon name with a classic feel.
Arline emerged in the late 19th century as a variant of Arlene, a name that gained popularity in the early 1900s. Its exact derivation is uncertain; Arlene may be a blend of the prefix Ar- (perhaps from names like Arabella or Margaret's nickname Ar) and the fashionable suffix -line. Some sources connect it to the Irish Eibhlín, a form of Helen, but this is not firmly established.
Where Arline 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, Lina, Ar
Sibling names for Arline
Names that share Arline's style, for a brother or sister.
