Home › Baby Names Directory › Harlen
Harlen
♂ Boy
Pronounced HAR-len /ˈhɑːr.lɛn/High
Meaning: hare landMedium
In 30 seconds: Harlen is a variant of Harlan meaning hare land in Old English. A rugged two-syllable name with American frontier associations through Harlan County, Kentucky.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumOld English
Meaninghare land
U.S. rank (2025)#2338 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births59 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1936
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,404
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
Harlen is a variant of Harlan/Harlem, from Old English hare (hare) + land, meaning hare land.
Harlen has appeared in US birth records as a variant of Harlan.
Did you know? Harlan County, Kentucky — made famous by the 1976 documentary about a violent coal miners' strike — gave this name a raw American working-class gravitas.
Overall data confidence 72%
Behind the Name: Harlen — name etymology referenceUS Social Security Name Database — U.S. popularity data
Variations
HarlanHarlemHarlin
Nicknames
Harl
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Harlen…
Explore names like Harlen
Frequently Asked
What does Harlen mean?
Harlen means hare land.
How do you pronounce Harlen?
Harlen is pronounced HAR-len (/ˈhɑːr.lɛn/), with 2 syllables.
Is Harlen a boy's name?
Yes, Harlen is used as a boy's name.
How popular is the name Harlen?
Variant of Harlan; hare land meaning via Old English well established.