NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Arli

A unisex name of unknown meaning and origin.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Arli is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Arli popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 6 births.

This profile covers 45 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 2013 to 2024. 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.

Arli is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 45 living people in the UK are called Arli. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Arli ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 6 boys were registered as Arli.
  • About 45 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arli as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 93.8% of Arli registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3254

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2024

6 births

Estimated living

45

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Arli

In England and Wales birth records, Arli has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 93.8% of registrations are for boys and 6.3% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

94% boys
Boys45 (93.8%)Girls3 (6.3%)

Arli registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,254 in 2024
  • 6 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (6 births)

Arli registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,687 in 2023
  • 3 girls registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2023 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Arli mean?

The name Arli originates from the Old Norse language, which was spoken by the Vikings and other Germanic tribes in Scandinavia during the 8th to 13th centuries. It is derived from the Old Norse word "arli," which means "early." This suggests that the name may have been given to a child born earlier than expected or in the early morning hours.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arli can be found in the Icelandic sagas, which are literary works that recount the history and mythology of the Norse people. In the Saga of Gisli Sursson, written in the 13th century, there is a character named Arli who plays a significant role in the narrative.

During the Viking Age, the name Arli was likely prevalent among the Norse settlers who colonized parts of Europe, including the British Isles, Normandy, and other regions. However, records from this period are scarce, and it is challenging to find specific individuals bearing this name.

In the Middle Ages, the name Arli experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in Norway and Iceland. One notable figure from this era was Arli Thorsteinsson (c. 1270-1330), an Icelandic chieftain and lawspeaker, who played a crucial role in the political affairs of the island during his lifetime.

Another historical figure with the name Arli was Arli Magnusson (c. 1475-1535), a Norwegian nobleman and military commander. He served as the Governor of Akershus Fortress, one of the most important fortifications in Norway at the time, and played a significant role in the Danish-Norwegian conflicts of the 16th century.

In more recent times, the name Arli has become less common, but it has still been used by notable individuals. For example, Arli Anka (1932-2012) was a Turkish cartoonist and illustrator who created the popular comic strip "Abdül Canbaz" and had a significant impact on the development of Turkish comics.

Arli Carstens (born 1958) is a South African singer and musician who has been active in the Afrikaans music scene for several decades. She is known for her contributions to the genre of Afrikaans folk music and has released numerous albums throughout her career.

While the name Arli is not as prevalent as it once was, it remains a part of the cultural heritage and linguistic history of the Norse people and their descendants. Its meaning and origins reflect the values and beliefs of these ancient civilizations, serving as a reminder of the rich tapestry of human diversity and the enduring legacies of our past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Arli over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Arli in England and Wales, from 2013 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Arli, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02356201320182024

Decades

Arli by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arli 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 #4219 20 5
2010s #4303 25 7

Related

Names similar to Arli

FAQ

Arli: questions and answers

How popular is the name Arli in the UK right now?

In 2024, Arli was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Arli most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 6 babies registered as Arli in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Arli?

A unisex name of unknown meaning and origin.

How many people are called Arli in the UK?

A total of 45 babies have been registered as Arli across the 12 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.