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Arlen

Boy name · 17 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Arlen: 17 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2023.

Arlen draws from several possible roots, most often linked to the Irish Gaelic *Orluain* or the Scottish Gaelic *Àrd-fhìrinne*, meaning “pledge” or “high truth.” In modern English, it’s sometimes considered a blend of the names Arnold and Helen. The name gained literary fame through Arlen Bitterbuck, a character in Stephen King’s *The Green Mile*. More notably, author and playwright Harold Arlen, composer of *Over the Rainbow* and other classic songs, carried the surname as his stage name. There is no direct Scottish place connection, but the similar-sounding Arran—the beautiful island in the Firth of Clyde—shares phonetic resonance. Arlen remains a rare but steady choice in Scotland, perhaps appealing for its soft, melodic tone that feels both ancient and fresh.