Arlan is a name of Irish origin, meaning "pledged" or "promised". It is derived from the Old Irish word "arlán", which means "pledge" or "promise".
The name Arlan has a long history in Ireland and Scotland. In Irish mythology, there was a legendary high king named Aralan who ruled during the 2nd century BC. Additionally, the name Arlan can be found in Scottish records dating back to the 13th century.
Arlan is also associated with the Irish family of O'Arlan or O'Herlihy, which was one of the most powerful families in Munster province during the Middle Ages. Members of this family held important positions as chieftains and kings in various parts of Ireland.
Today, Arlan is still a popular name in Ireland and Scotland, but it has also gained popularity in other English-speaking countries such as England, Canada, and Australia. Despite its ancient origins, Arlan remains a strong and distinctive name that stands out from more common choices.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Arlan experienced significant popularity from the early 1930s to the late 1960s, peaking in 1936 with 87 births. However, its usage has greatly decreased since then, with fewer than 35 births per year occurring between 1970 and 2022, except for a brief period of increased popularity from 2015 to 2023 (with at least 24 births each year). Overall, there have been a total of 3329 births with the name Arlan since 1912.