Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Arla isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1888. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Arla through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,806
- 17 boys · 2,789 girls
- Most popular year
- 1930
- 66 babies
- 2025
- 26
- #4,998 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +42%
- Rising
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 26 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 4,998 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 41.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 64 in 1934. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,039 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Arla’s family of names
Arla may belong to the same name family as ARLLA. This is a tentative spelling connection.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Arla, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Arletta
“an oath; a pledge”
>99% girls
Ardella
“industrious and eager”
>99% girls
Arlyn
“a solemn, binding promise” · “an oath; a pledge”
24% boys · 76% girls
Arvilla
>99% girls
Armida
“an armed battlemaiden”
>99% girls
Adella
“of the nobility; serene; of good humor”
>99% girls
Ardith
“from the field of flowers”
2% boys · 98% girls
Ola
“one who is precious” · “giver of life: well-being”
>99% girls