The first name Arlen
A boy’s name.
2 syllables Male Also a surname
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 44 boys were named Arlen, making it the 763rd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2021, with 57 births (#641).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Arlen with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Arlen at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 107 boys born in the United States were named Arlen, the 1,587th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1934, when 206 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Arlen
4 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Arlen SpecterAmerican politician (1930–2012)
- Arlen EscarpetaBelizean actor, born 1980
- Arlen ErdahlAmerican politician (1931–2023)
- Gary KildallAmerican computer scientist and entrepreneur (1942–1994)
Questions
- How popular is the name Arlen?
- In 2025, 44 boys born in England and Wales were named Arlen, ranking 763rd. Its peak was 2021, with 57 births.
- Is Arlen a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 8,154 US babies named Arlen since 1880, 10% were girls and 90% boys.
- When was Arlen most popular?
- 1934 in the United States, when 206 babies were named Arlen, its highest rank at 380th.
- Is Arlen also a surname?
- Yes. Arlen is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.