Find out how popular the first name Arlene has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Arlene by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Arlene is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Arlene being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 112 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Arlene.

The history of the first name Arlene

The name Arlene is a French feminine form of the Old German name Arlen, derived from the word "hari" meaning "army" and "lind" meaning "tender,soft". It is related to the name Charles, which shares the same Germanic root.

In medieval France, the name Arlene was initially spelled as Arlende or Arlinde. It gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly among the French nobility and upper classes. Some early recorded instances include Arlende de Montfort (born c. 1190), a noblewoman from the House of Montfort.

The name Arlene has been associated with various historical figures throughout the centuries. One notable example is Arlene of Faversham (c. 1345-1381), an English nun who was allegedly murdered by her lover and his accomplices, leading to a famous court case and the establishment of the legal principle of "double jeopardy".

During the Renaissance period, the name Arlene was adopted by several influential women, including Arlene de' Medici (1520-1589), a member of the powerful Medici family in Florence, Italy. She was a patron of the arts and supported numerous artists and writers during her lifetime.

In the 19th century, Arlene Dufrénoy (1835-1899) was a French novelist and playwright who wrote several successful works, including the novel "Pauvre Jeanne" and the play "Les Lionnes Pauvres".

Other notable individuals named Arlene include Arlene Francis (1907-2001), an American actress, radio and television personality, and the first woman to host a game show ("What's My Line?") on television. Arlene Dahl (1925-2021) was a renowned American actress, author, and entrepreneur, best known for her roles in films such as "Journey to Italy" and "Slightly Scarlet".

In the world of sports, Arlene Blencowe (born 1983) is an Australian professional boxer and mixed martial artist, who has competed in several major organizations, including Bellator and RIZIN Fighting Federation.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Arlene was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Arlene, please contact us.

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