'Arles' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'Arelate', which was the Roman name for the settlement and derives from earlier Gaulish usage.

'Arles' changed from the Latin 'Arelate' into Old French forms (such as 'Arles') and eventually became the modern English name 'Arles'.

Initially, it referred to the Roman settlement named 'Arelate'; over time it remained the place-name and now denotes the modern city 'Arles'.