Girl Name
Arla
Arla is a girl's name whose meaning is not firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a girl's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Arla is a girl baby name. It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Arla often also consider Ariella.
Arla meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Arla has a distinctive sound and evolving modern usage.
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Arla as A·R·L·A, with 4 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Arla is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Arla variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Arlaa, Arlae, Arlay, Arl.
- Nicknames: Arla works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair Arla with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the Arla middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Ariella, Arlo, Arlie, Arley, Ariel — full picks on the sibling names for Arla guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Arla? Browse our names like Arla guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Arla
What does the name Arla mean?
Arla has no single meaning that is firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a girl name in US birth records, and parents usually choose it for its sound rather than a documented meaning.
What is the origin of Arla?
The exact origin of Arla is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Arla?
Arla has 4 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Arla a boy's or girl's name?
Arla is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Arla in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Arla sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Arla?
Names that share Arla's sound and style include Ariella, Arlo, Arlie, Arley, Ariel.
What middle names pair well with Arla?
Good middle-name fits for Arla pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Arla is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Arla is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Arla?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Arla share its rhythm without rhyming — Ariella, Arlo, Arlie all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.