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Home › Baby Names Directory › Harlow

Harlow

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAR-loh /ˈhɑːr.loʊ/Low

Meaning: Heap of rocks; army hillLow

In 30 seconds: Harlow is an English place name meaning heap of rocks or army hill, from Old English here (army) and hlaw (hill or mound). As a given name it works for both sexes and is associated with Hollywood icon Jean Harlow and the town in Essex, England.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningHeap of rocks; army hill
U.S. rank (2025)#1214 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births167 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,667

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202318822025

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

Harlow derives from the Old English here (army) and hlaw (hill or mound), meaning army hill. As a place name it refers to Harlow in Essex, England. As a given name it became associated with actress Jean Harlow and has grown for both boys and girls.

Harlow has grown as a given name in the 21st century, popular for both sexes. It has a vintage-glamorous quality through the Jean Harlow connection and a natural feel through its English place-name heritage.

Did you know? Jean Harlow (1911-1937) was the original Blonde Bombshell, one of Hollywood's first sex symbols and one of the most famous film stars of the 1930s before her tragic early death at age 26. Her surname as a first name gives Harlow its glamorous Hollywood luster.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Harlow

Variations

HarloHarloewHarlowe

Nicknames

HarLou

Famous Bearers

  • ★Jean Harlow (1911-1937)
    American actress, the original Blonde Bombshell and one of Hollywood's first sex symbols

If you like Harlow…

Marlow— Same -low ending place-name structure
Arrow— echoes that soft -ow sound
Woodrow— a fellow English choice
Winslow— another English name
Harley— a fellow English choice

Explore names like Harlow

By themeenglishtwo-syllableplace-namevintagegender-neutralglamorous
By meaningWarriorEarth / Nature

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Harlow mean?

Harlow means army hill from Old English here (army) and hlaw (hill or mound), an English place name.

Is Harlow a boy or girl name?

Harlow is gender-neutral and used for both boys and girls.

How do you pronounce Harlow?

Harlow is pronounced HAR-loh with two syllables.

Who was Jean Harlow?

Jean Harlow was a 1930s Hollywood actress known as the original Blonde Bombshell, one of the era's biggest stars.

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