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

Popularity of Arline by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Arline is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Arline.

The history of the first name Arline

The name Arline is derived from the French name Arline, which is a feminine form of the name Arlen or Arlay. The name Arlen is believed to have its roots in the Old French word "arlen," meaning "little thorn" or "little branch."

The name Arline gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in France and parts of Europe, where it was often used as a diminutive or nickname for names like Arlette or Arlene. It was also associated with the Latin word "arlindo," meaning "small harp," which may have contributed to its musical connotations.

While the name Arline does not have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it was not uncommon during the medieval period, especially among families of French or Norman descent. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Arline dates back to the late 12th century, when it was mentioned in a French manuscript from the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Arline. One of the earliest was Arline de Thouars (c. 1250 – c. 1300), a French noblewoman and heiress who played a significant role in the Poitevin War of Succession in the late 13th century.

Another prominent figure was Arline Michaelis (1894 – 1973), an American singer and actress who was a popular vaudeville performer in the early 20th century. She was known for her recordings and appearances in several Broadway musicals.

In the field of literature, Arline Pacht (1925 – 2005) was an American author and poet who published several collections of poetry and received numerous awards for her work, including the Frost Medal from the Poetry Society of America.

Arline Valentin (1901 – 1992) was a French-born American soprano and opera singer who performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and other prestigious companies during the mid-20th century.

Arline Feynman (1916 – 1988) was an American artist and the wife of the renowned physicist Richard Feynman. She played a significant role in supporting her husband's groundbreaking work and was an accomplished artist in her own right.

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 Arline was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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