Arline is a female given name whose origin is uncertain. It is believed to have been invented by Irish composer Michael William Balfe for the title character of his 1843 opera The Bohemian Girl. The name may be a variant or elaboration of Arlene or a feminization of Arlie, though its exact etymology remains obscure. Despite lack of a clear meaning, Arline gained some popularity in English-speaking countries before the turn of the 20th century, though never reaching the higher ranks of use seen by similar names like Arlene. Its sound aligns with late 19th-century trends for feminine "-ine" ending names.Notable BearersA number of women have carried the name into the public sphere. Arline Judge (1912–1974) was an American film actress active from the 1930s to the 1960s, appearing in comedies and dramatic roles. Arline Francis Kazanjian (1907–2001), better known professionally as Arline Francis, worked as an actress, radio talk show host, and game show panelist from the 1940s–1960s, often adding a colorful presence on programs like What's My Line? In politics, Arline Friscia (1934–2019) served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1972 to 1978, and later worked as a county official, often focusing on housing and community services. Among other notable Arlines are Arline Fisch, a pioneering artist whose work weaves metal into textiles and jewelry; Arline Burks Gant, a director and costume designer active in theaters across the U.S. and in Nigerian cinema; Arline Hunter (1931–2018), a model and actress who reprized roles on television westerns; and Arline Isaacson, a co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus who campaigned for the state's anti-discrimination laws and marriage equality acts.Cultural SignificanceArline remains remembered as the name of the opera heroine—a gypsy child stolen from her aristocratic family—in The Bohemian Girl, which contains one of Balfe's best-known arias, I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls. This operatic connection gives Arline a lingering touch of Romantic Victorian theatricality.Meaning: Unconfirmed; possibly invented from a variant of ArleneOrigin: English, 1843 via Michael William Balfe's operaType: Feminine given nameUsage: English-speaking world