Arlo

♀ Girl

Pronounced AR-loh /ˈɑːr.loʊ/High

Meaning: fortified hill, army hillMedium

In 30 seconds: Arlo is a name of Old English or Spanish origin meaning fortified hill or barberry tree. Traditionally a boy's name, it is increasingly chosen for girls as gender-fluid naming grows.

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Origin MediumSpanish, Old English

Meaningfortified hill, army hill

U.S. rank (2025)#2488 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births71 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 889

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Arlo has uncertain origins; it may derive from Old English meaning army hill or fortified hill, or from the Spanish word for barberry shrub. Edmund Spenser referenced Arlo Hill in The Faerie Queene (1596), cementing it in literary tradition.

Arlo was primarily a masculine name through the 20th century, associated with folk singer Arlo Guthrie. In the 2010s it surged in popularity for boys and began appearing for girls as parents embraced gender-neutral choices. Its short, punchy sound has broad appeal.

Did you know? In Edmund Spenser's 1596 epic poem The Faerie Queene, Arlo Hill is a mythological Irish summit where the goddess Diana holds court — one of the earliest literary uses of the name.

Overall data confidence 62%

Behind the Name: Arlo — name etymology referenceSpenser, The Faerie Queene (1596) — reference for ArloUS Social Security Name Database — U.S. popularity data

Variations

ArlowArlon

Nicknames

Arl

Famous Bearers

★Arlo Guthrie (1947–present)
American folk singer-songwriter best known for the 18-minute talking blues 'Alice's Restaurant Massacree' (1967) and a Woodstock performance.

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Frequently Asked

What does Arlo mean?

Arlo most likely means fortified hill from Old English, or possibly barberry tree from Spanish. Its precise origin is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Arlo?

Arlo is pronounced AR-loh (/ˈɑːr.loʊ/), with two syllables.

Is Arlo a girl's name?

Arlo is traditionally a boy's name but is increasingly used for girls as a gender-neutral choice.

How popular is the name Arlo?

Arlo surged in popularity for boys in the 2010s and is growing in use for girls as gender-neutral naming trends rise.