Arleene / Eithne

Arleene is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name 'Eithne'. The original Irish name 'Eithne' has a long and rich history, appearing in various forms in Irish mythology and early Irish history. It was borne by several legendary figures, including the mother of the god Lugh and a daughter of the king of Ulster. The anglicization to forms like Arlene and Arleene likely occurred as Irish names were adapted into English, often to make them more pronounceable or to give them a more familiar sound to English speakers.

The spelling 'Arleene' specifically emerged as a variant of 'Arlene', which became popular in the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States, during the early to mid-20th century. The addition of the extra 'e' at the end is a common practice in English to alter pronunciation slightly or simply to create a unique spelling.