Arrington is an English surname that has evolved over time to become a unisex given name, particularly popular in the United States during the mid-20th century. The name Arrington likely originated from an Old English place name, derived from the elements 'earn' meaning 'eagle' and 'ing' denoting 'enclosure or meadow'. This suggests that the name may have originally been associated with a location where eagles were frequently seen.
The use of Arrington as a given name began in the 1940s and gained popularity throughout the mid-20th century. During this period, it was often used for both boys and girls. However, by the late 20th century, its usage became more gender-specific, with Arrington being primarily associated with females.
Today, Arrington remains a relatively uncommon yet distinctive name. It is often chosen for its unique sound and its historical roots in English place names. The name can also be spelled variants such as Arringten or Arringen, though these are less common.
"The name Arrington experienced significant popularity between 2000 and 2005 with peaks at 15 births in 2001 and 13 births in 2005. After a decline, it showed another spike in 2013 with 14 births. More recently, there have been around 8 to 10 births per year from 2016 to 2023."