Girl Name · Irish Origin
Arlene
Arlene is a girl baby name of Irish origin, meaning "Pledge, promise". It currently sits in the Top 500 tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Arlene often also consider Arline.
Arlene meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Pledge, promise
Origin: Irish naming roots help connect Arlene to related Irish baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Arlene as A·R·L·E·N·E, with 6 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Arlene is familiar without being overly common in the Top 500 tier.
Arlene variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Arlenea, Arlenee, Arleney, Arlen.
- Nicknames: Arl and A.
- Middle names: Pair Arlene with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Arlene middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Arline, Arlyne, Arleen, Arlena, Arlen — full picks on the sibling names for Arlene guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Arlene? Browse our names like Arlene 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 Arlene
What does the name Arlene mean?
Arlene means "Pledge, promise" and is of Irish origin.
What is the origin of Arlene?
Arlene originates in Irish naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Arlene?
Arlene has 6 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Arlene a boy's or girl's name?
Arlene is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Arlene in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Arlene sits in the Top 500 tier — familiar without being overly common.
What names are similar to Arlene?
Names that share Arlene's sound and style include Arline, Arlyne, Arleen, Arlena, Arlen.
What middle names pair well with Arlene?
Good middle-name fits for Arlene pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Arlene is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Arlene is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Arlene?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Arlene share its rhythm without rhyming — Arline, Arlyne, Arleen all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.