Arrow

♂ Boy

Pronounced AIR-oh /ˈɛɹ.oʊ/Medium

Meaning: the English word "arrow" used as a modern nature/word nameMedium

In 30 seconds: Arrow is a modern word name taken from the English word for the shaft shot from a bow. It belongs to the nature-and-object naming trend.

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Origin MediumEnglish

Meaningthe English word "arrow" used as a modern nature/word name

U.S. rank (2025)#1976 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births77 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,716

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

Arrow comes straight from the English noun, used as a given name for its direct, striking image rather than for any older etymology. As a word name it joins a broader fashion for short, concrete nouns chosen as boys' names. The meaning is simply the object itself, with its overtones of aim and motion.

Single-syllable and sharp-sounding, Arrow has a clean, modern edge that suits its on-target imagery.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Arrow is 'bow, arrow', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 70%

Behind the Name - Arrow — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Arrow (1949-2010)
Montserratian soca musician known for the hit Hot Hot Hot
★Arrow De Wilde (1999-)
American singer and frontwoman of the rock band Starcrawler

If you like Arrow…

Hunter— shares the outdoor, hunting-themed imagery

Fletcher— an occupational name for an arrow-maker, tied to the same object

Archer— names the one who shoots the arrow, sharing the imagery

Winslow— echoes that soft -ow sound

Harlow— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Arrow

By thememodern english unisex

By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Arrow mean?

Arrow is usually explained as meaning 'bow, arrow' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Arrow?

It's commonly said AIR-oh /ˈɛɹ.oʊ/.

Is Arrow a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Arrow is used as a boy name.

How popular is Arrow?

In 2024, Arrow ranked #1672 in the U.S. for boys, with 100 births recorded.