Arley is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the surname 'Arley,' which itself has roots in Old English. The name was popularized through its usage in literature, particularly in works by British author Thomas Hardy. In his novel 'Far from the Madding Crowd,' Hardy uses Arley as a character's first name, contributing to its recognition and subsequent use as a given name.
The name Arley has experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half, with peaks occurring more recently. The highest number of births recorded was in 2021, with 36 newborns named Arley. However, there were several years with no recorded births for this name (not included in the data). Despite its ups and downs, Arley's popularity has steadily increased over the past decade, suggesting it may continue to be a popular choice for parents in the coming years.