Given name & surname
Harlon
“an athletic woman”·“from the army”
Harlon is a variant of Harlan. Interpretations include “an athletic woman” (English) and “from the army” (English). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Harlon is a variant of Harlan. Interpretations include “an athletic woman” (English) and “from the army” (English). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Harlon is a variant of Harlan. An origin associated with Harlan is English.
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. Harlon is a variant of Harlan. The history of Harlan gives this family its wider story. Harlan’s naming history includes the use of a family name as a given name.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Harlon through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,858
- 1,858 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1939
- 44 babies
- 2025
- 14
- #6,241 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −23%
- Easing
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 14 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 6,241 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 23.1% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 44 in 1939. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 793 as a first name in 2020; 129 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 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Harlon
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Harlon, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Arlon
>99% boys
Alton
“from the old town”
>99% boys
Waymon
Waymon is a surname.
>99% boys
Avon
“of the river”
>99% boys
Arlan
“a solemn, binding promise”
>99% boys
Aldon
“an old friend” · “from the old town”
>99% boys
Lavon
“a white-haired or whiteskinned man” · “a spirited man”
>99% boys
Karon
“one who is pure; virginal”
>99% boys