Arlan
Boy name · #2397 in 2025 · Uniqueness 64/100
In 2025, 57 baby boys were named Arlan, placing it at #2397 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #4179, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 31,579 boys born in 2025 was named Arlan.
Babies named Arlan per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 113-year story
Arlan first appears in the Social Security records in 1912, when 8 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1936, when 87 boys were named Arlan — good for #625 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Arlan against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Arlan in class?
Arlan scores 64 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Arlan is most common
Geography matters for names, and Arlan is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Arlans were PA (9), CA (8), NY (5). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Arlan
Statistically, parents drawn to Arlan tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Arlin, Arlen, Harlen, Allan, and Harlan.
ArlinArlenHarlenAllanHarlanFlorianWaltonMerlin
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Arlan | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 57 | #2390 |
| 2024 | 47 | #2750 |
| 2023 | 49 | #2660 |
| 2022 | 34 | #3412 |
| 2021 | 40 | #3021 |
| 2020 | 43 | #2806 |
| 2019 | 34 | #3347 |
| 2018 | 37 | #3106 |
| 2017 | 29 | #3678 |
| 2016 | 25 | #4098 |
| 2015 | 24 | #4179 |
| 2014 | 18 | #5066 |
| 2013 | 21 | #4463 |
| 2012 | 16 | #5482 |
| 2011 | 22 | #4356 |
| 2010 | 19 | #4848 |
| 2009 | 16 | #5554 |
| 2008 | 12 | #6763 |
| 2007 | 16 | #5434 |
| 2006 | 22 | #4223 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5278 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6138 |
| 2003 | 11 | #6258 |
| 2002 | 13 | #5395 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8339 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Arlan a popular boy name?
Arlan ranked #2397 among boys in 2025 with 57 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #4179.
When was the name Arlan most popular?
Arlan peaked in 1936, when 87 American boys received the name (ranked #625 that year). Since 1936 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Arlan?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 31,579 newborn American boys was named Arlan. It scores 64/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.