Harlen
- US rank
- #2,332
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #747 in 1936
59 babies were named Harlen in the US in 2025. It has climbed 214 places in five years.
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US births per million boys, 1907–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Harlen you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 28,986 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Harlen, 59 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Harlen would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryHarlen first shows up in US birth records in 1907, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 118 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1936, when it ranked #747. Today it's #2,332, so it could be due a comeback.
- Then vs nowHarlen is 6.8× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 196,078 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 28,986.
- TrendHarlen has climbed 214 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #2,332. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Boy or girlHarlen is given to both boys and girls: 84% of the 70 babies named Harlen in 2025 were boys. That makes it one of the names that truly works for either.
About the name Harlen
Harlen is a boy name of English origin. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with H and ending in “-len”. US birth records list Harlen for boys from 1907 to 2025, in 118 of those 119 years. Its best year was 1936, when it ranked #747 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #2,332, with 59 babies.
Origin:English names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 22 | 45,113 boys |
| 1910s | 35 | 28,935 boys |
| 1920s | 40 | 25,006 boys |
| 1930s | 49 | 20,354 boys |
| 1940s | 25 | 39,825 boys |
| 1950s | 13 | 79,365 boys |
| 1960s | 10 | 97,656 boys |
| 1970s | 6.7 | 148,368 boys |
| 1980s | 5.3 | 189,036 boys |
| 1990s | 5.6 | 177,305 boys |
| 2000s | 9.8 | 102,249 boys |
| 2010s | 27 | 36,846 boys |
| 2020s | 34 | 29,354 boys |
Other spellings of Harlen
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Harlen
What is the origin of the name Harlen?
Harlen has English roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Harlen a boy or girl name?
Harlen is a boy name, though a few girls get it too.
How popular is the name Harlen?
Harlen ranked #2,332 for US boys in 2025, given to 59 babies. Its best year was 1936 (#747).