Arlow

♂ Boy

Pronounced AR-loh /ˈɑr.loʊ/High

Meaning: Variant of Arlo, a name of debated origin — likely from Edmund Spenser's poetic place name Arlo Hill, itself from Irish Aherlow, 'between two highlands'Low

In 30 seconds: Arlo with a tail-light: the w-spelling of the folk-singer favorite whose origin runs through a poet's invented hill in Ireland. Mellow, debated, and rising.

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Origin MediumEnglish, Literary

MeaningVariant of Arlo, a name of debated origin — likely from Edmund Spenser's poetic place name Arlo Hill, itself from Irish Aherlow, 'between two highlands'

U.S. rank (2025)#3133 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 366

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

Arlow styles Arlo, whose origin keeps etymologists busy: the favored account routes it through Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene-era 'Arlo Hill', his poeticization of Ireland's Glen of Aherlow ('between two highlands'), with Italian Carlo and place-name Harlow as side theories. Folk royalty Arlo Guthrie warmed the name for modern parents, and it has climbed steadily since the 2010s.

The -ow form aligns it with Harlow and Marlow, surname-chic and windblown. It remains the rare spelling of an increasingly familiar sound.

Did you know? Arlo's likeliest birthplace is a poem — Edmund Spenser set 'Arlo Hill' in his Irish-estate epic, apparently reworking the Glen of Aherlow, 'between two highlands'.

Overall data confidence 65%

Behind the Name — Arlo — origin debated

Variations

ArloArloweHarlow

Nicknames

Arl

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Arlow…

Arlo— the folk-beloved standard spelling

Marlow— a fellow literary -ow surname pick

Harlow— the place-surname sharing its tail

Willow— the gentle nature name in the same breeze

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Arlow mean?

Arlow is a variant of Arlo, a name of debated origin most often traced to Spenser's poetic 'Arlo Hill', from Irish Aherlow, 'between two highlands'.

How do you pronounce Arlow?

It's said AR-loh /ˈɑr.loʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Arlow a boy or girl name?

Arlow is used mainly as a boy's name.

How popular is Arlow?

Arlow is a rare spelling in the U.S.; Arlo is the fast-rising standard.