Arlene \a-rle-ne, ar-lene\ as a girl's name is pronounced ar-LEEN. Modern coinage of unclear origin. Possibly feminine form of Arlen, from Irish Gaelic meaning "pledge, promise". Or possibly a coinage based on Marlene or Charlene. Made famous in the 1950s by American actress and beauty columnist Arlene Dahl. Actress Arlene Francis.

Arlene has 29 variant forms: Arla, Arlan, Arlana, Arlean, Arleana, Arlee, Arleen, Arleena, Arleene, Arlen, Arlena, Arleta, Arletha, Arletta, Arlette, Arleyne, Arlie, Arliene, Arlina, Arlinda, Arline, Arluene, Arly, Arlyn, Arlyne, Arlynn, Lena, Lene and Lina.

Baby names that sound like Arlene are Arlenne, Erlene and Orlene.