Arlo

♂ Boy

Pronounced AR-loh /ˈɑːr.loʊ/High

Meaning: Fortified hill — possibly from Old English place-name elements, or from Spanish arlo (barberry shrub); origin disputedMedium

In 30 seconds: Jaunty and artistic, Arlo is a name of uncertain but intriguing origin — possibly Old English, possibly Spanish — made famous by folk singer Arlo Guthrie and the Pixar film The Good Dinosaur.

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Origin MediumOld English, Spanish

MeaningFortified hill — possibly from Old English place-name elements, or from Spanish arlo (barberry shrub); origin disputed

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,491

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

The origin of Arlo is genuinely uncertain. One theory links it to an Old English place-name element meaning 'fortified hill' or 'army hill.' Another suggests a connection to Spanish arlo, the common barberry shrub. Edmund Spenser referenced 'Arlo Hill' in The Faerie Queene, giving the name early literary cachet. It may also be an anglicization of Gaelic names.

Arlo gained significant cultural traction through folk musician Arlo Guthrie (b. 1947), son of Woody Guthrie and famous for the 18-minute talking blues song 'Alice's Restaurant Massacree' (1967). In the 21st century, the Pixar film The Good Dinosaur (2015) featured an Arlo protagonist. The name surged into the U.S. top 200 boys' names during the 2010s.

Did you know? Edmund Spenser used the toponym Arlo Hill in his epic poem The Faerie Queene (1596) — thought to be a reference to a real Irish hillfort — making Arlo one of the rare names with a Renaissance literary pedigree.

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Famous Bearers

★Arlo Guthrie (b. 1947)
American folk singer-songwriter, son of Woody Guthrie, famous for 'Alice's Restaurant.'

If you like Arlo…

Milo— two-syllable vintage-but-modern boys' name with the same jaunty rhythm

Theo— short, friendly vintage name sharing Arlo's retro-cool appeal

Jasper— artistic vintage name popular with the same creative-parent demographic

Frequently Asked

What does the name Arlo mean?

Arlo's origin is uncertain — it may come from an Old English place-name meaning 'fortified hill' or from Spanish arlo (barberry shrub).

How do you pronounce Arlo?

Arlo is pronounced AR-loh /ˈɑːr.loʊ/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Arlo a boy or girl name?

Arlo is used primarily as a boys' name.

How popular is Arlo?

Arlo entered the U.S. top 200 boys' names in the 2010s and continues to rise, driven by its vintage-yet-fresh appeal.