Given name & surname
Arlin
“a solemn, binding promise”
Arlin is a variant of Arlen. One interpretation is “a solemn, binding promise.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Arlin 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 1910. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Arlin through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 4,884
- 4,072 boys · 812 girls
- Most popular year
- 1935
- 85 babies
- 2025
- 52
- #2,768 for boys · #13,370 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +55%
- Rising fast
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 46 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,768 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 80.8% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 85 in 1935. It also appeared in 6 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Pennsylvania had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (6). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,418 as a first name in 2020; 202 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 2
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
Similar names
If you love Arlin, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Franklyn
“a free man; a landholder”
73% boys · 27% girls
Marvel
“an extraordinary woman” · “an extraordinary man”
48% boys · 52% girls
Alvie
“friend of the elves” · “triend of the elves”
64% boys · 36% girls
Farris
“one who is as strong as iron”
73% boys · 27% girls
Llewellyn
“resembling a lion”
68% boys · 32% girls
Trinidad
“trinity”
68% boys · 32% girls
Leone
“resembling a lion” · “having the strength of a lion”
73% boys · 27% girls
Harlin
“an athletic woman” · “from the army”
73% boys · 27% girls