'Arlene' originates from modern English, specifically the name 'Arline', where the element '-line' functioned as a feminine name ending.

'Arlene' changed from variant spellings such as 'Arline' and 'Arleen' and eventually became established in modern English as the given name 'Arlene'.

Initially it was simply a variant or respelling of 'Arline' (with no separate lexical meaning), but over time it became established as its own female given name.