Arkan

♂ Boy

Pronounced AR-kahn /ˈɑr.kɑn/High

Meaning: From Arabic arkan, 'pillars, foundations, essential elements' — the plural of rukn; the pillars of IslamMedium

In 30 seconds: The very pillars of faith: Arkan is Arabic for the foundations and essentials — the 'arkan' are the five pillars of Islam. Strong, structural, and deeply meaningful.

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Origin MediumArabic

MeaningFrom Arabic arkan, 'pillars, foundations, essential elements' — the plural of rukn; the pillars of Islam

U.S. rank (2025)#4869 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births20 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 219

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Arkan comes from Arabic arkan, 'pillars, foundations, essential elements', the plural of rukn. The phrase arkan al-Islam names the five pillars of the faith. As a given name it evokes strength, structure, and the essentials on which everything stands.

In the U.S. it appears in Arab and Muslim families. Rare, foundational at the root, and strong.

Did you know? The 'arkan al-Islam' — the five pillars of Islam — are the foundations on which a Muslim's faith rests; the name Arkan literally means those load-bearing pillars.

Overall data confidence 75%

Arabic references — arkan — etymology

Variations

ArkaanErkan

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Željko Ražnatović (Arkan) (1952-2000)
Serbian paramilitary commander known by the mononym Arkan, notorious during the Yugoslav Wars

If you like Arkan…

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Ayman— shares the -an ending

Aayan— another Arabic name

Adnan— lands in the same popularity range

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Arkan mean?

Arkan is Arabic for 'pillars, foundations, essential elements' — as in the pillars of Islam.

How do you pronounce Arkan?

It's said AR-kahn /ˈɑr.kɑn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Arkan a boy or girl name?

Arkan is a boy's name.

How popular is Arkan?

Arkan is a rare name in the U.S.