Given name & surname
Arlan
“a solemn, binding promise”
Arlan is a variant of Arlen. One interpretation is “a solemn, binding promise.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Arlan is a variant of Arlen. One interpretation is “a solemn, binding promise.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1912. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Arlan through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 3,434
- 3,434 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1936
- 87 babies
- 2025
- 57
- #2,392 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +35%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 57 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,392 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 35.1% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 87 in 1936. In 2025, Pennsylvania had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (9). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,107 as a first name in 2020; 110 as a surname in 2000.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Arlan
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Arlan, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Arlon
>99% boys
Alton
“from the old town”
>99% boys
Arland
“a solemn, binding promise”
>99% boys
Arliss
“from the high fortress” · “of the pledge”
>99% boys
Allan
“one who is precious” · “resembling a little rock”
>99% boys
Marlin
“resembling a little hawk”
86% boys · 14% girls
Arlis
>99% boys
Orlin
“the golden child”
>99% boys