Pledge or oath; hare meadow
Arlen is a name with dual etymological roots. It is often considered a variant of the Gaelic name Arlan, meaning 'pledge' or 'oath', but it also has English origins as a surname derived from 'hare land' or 'hare meadow'.
Less common today
Arlen isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #1,588 in 2025.
Long-serving United States Senator from Pennsylvania
Famous American motorcycle designer and entrepreneur
Belizean-born American actor
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
