I like Arden as a man's name. It sounds passionate, fiery and, well, ardent. I would be very disappointed if a male Arden wasn't romance novel material. For a girl, it sounds too mannish and makes me imagine a Rita Skeeter type.
Fran sounds dated and reminds me of "The Nanny" TV show. Recently, I met a man named Fran. It may have been short for Francis, but it could have been short for something else.