Arlyn

Meaning & origin

Arlyn is a rare modern name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1914. It saw its peak usage in 2012, yet remains uncommon, with a 2025 rank of 3,975 and an occurrence of about 1 in 44,646 births. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 1987, largely driven by use in California, its top state. Its formation likely reflects the 20th-century trend of combining an initial syllable with the fashionable -lyn suffix, similar to names like Evelyn and Marilyn. Despite its obscurity, Arlyn has maintained a steady, if modest, presence for over a century, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar-sounding name.

Arlyn first appeared in the United States in 1914, with use concentrated in California. The name likely follows the 20th-century fashion of blending a short prefix (such as Ar- from names like Arlene or Arthur) with the popular suffix -lyn, seen in names like Evelyn and Marilyn. Its exact derivation is unclear, and it may also be a variant of Arline or a feminine form of Arlen.