UK boy's name
Arlee
A diminutive form of the name Arlene meaning "little tawny one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Arlee is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Arlee popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4001, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 7 births.
This profile covers 21 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2017 to 2022. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 21 living people in the UK are called Arlee. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Arlee ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 7 boys were registered as Arlee.
- • About 21 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arlee as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4001
2022
Births in 2022
4
Latest year
Peak year
2017
7 births
Estimated living
21
2026
Meaning
What does Arlee mean?
The name Arlee has its origins in the Scottish Gaelic language, with roots dating back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic words "àrluinn" and "àirde," which translate to "high ground" and "height," respectively. It was initially a descriptive name given to individuals who lived in elevated or mountainous regions of Scotland.
In its earliest recorded usage, the name appeared in the form "Arlye" in the annals of the Clan MacKenzie, a prominent Scottish clan with roots in the Highlands. The name was borne by several members of the clan, including Arlye MacKenzie, born in 1387, who was renowned for his skills as a huntsman and his knowledge of the rugged terrain.
As the name spread throughout Scotland, it underwent various spelling variations, including "Arlee," "Arly," and "Arlye." One notable historical figure who bore the name was Arlee Douglas, a Scottish nobleman born in 1542. He was a staunch supporter of the Protestant Reformation and played a significant role in the religious and political struggles of the time.
In the 17th century, the name Arlee found its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances was Arlee Jameson, born in 1648 in Massachusetts Bay Colony. Jameson was a respected farmer and community leader who played a role in the early development of the colony.
Another historically significant figure was Arlee Livingston, born in 1712 in New York. Livingston was a prominent lawyer and politician who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and played a crucial role in the formation of the United States Constitution.
During the 19th century, the name Arlee gained popularity among Scottish immigrants to North America. One notable bearer was Arlee MacDonald, born in 1835 in Nova Scotia, Canada. MacDonald was a renowned poet and writer who helped preserve and promote Scottish Gaelic language and culture in the New World.
While the name Arlee has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, each leaving their mark on the tapestry of human experience.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Arlee over time
The chart below shows babies named Arlee registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Arlee, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2022, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Arlee by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arlee was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3996 | 8 | 2 |
| 2010s | #2874 | 13 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Arlee
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Arlee: questions and answers
How popular is the name Arlee in the UK right now?
In 2022, Arlee was ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Arlee most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 7 babies registered as Arlee in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Arlee?
A diminutive form of the name Arlene meaning "little tawny one".
How many people are called Arlee in the UK?
A total of 21 babies have been registered as Arlee across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.