"remnants of the lake"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Marlo
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRL-oh ]
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A vintage name evoking lakeside landscapes
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Meaning & Origin
"marshy land by a lake"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
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The Story of Marlo
Marlo is a variant of Marlow, an English surname from Old English mere (lake) and laf (remnants or leavings), meaning the remnants of a lake or marshy land near a lake. The Buckinghamshire town of Marlow gave rise to the surname. It was popularized by actress Marlo Thomas in the 1960s.
Marlo Thomas adopted her stage name in the 1960s and her sitcom That Girl (1966-1971) made the name recognizable. Today Marlo is rising as a unisex vintage name appealing to parents who like Arlo and Harlow.
The town of Marlow in England was home to poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and is associated with Mary Shelley's drafting of Frankenstein (1817), giving the name a subtle literary connection.
Historical Record
Marlo first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,153 babies have been named Marlo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marlo is past its peak , currently ranked #1,696 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Percy Bysshe Shelley lived in Marlow, England in 1817 when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein
- Marlo Thomas is famous not only as an actress but for co-creating St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's ongoing fundraising
Marlo in Other Languages
French
Marlo
Italian
Marlo
Spanish
Marlo
Popularity Over Time
#1,696
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1972
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marlo
M
Marlo Thomas
Actor
1937
American actress and activist known for That Girl and Free to Be You and Me, daughter of Danny Thomas
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Compare Marlo with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,696
- Total SSA Count
- 99
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Mar
May
Maie
Markins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marlo
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Marlo is also used as a girl name, ranked #1706.
View Marlo as a girl name →Similar Names
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Old High German origin
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Old Irish (Aoidh) origin
"little fire"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marlo
What does the name Marlo mean?
"remnants of the lake" (from Old English). "marshy land by a lake" (from Anglo-Saxon). Marlo is a variant of Marlow, an English surname from Old English mere (lake) and laf (remnants or leavings), meaning the remnants of a lake or marshy land near a lake. The Buckinghamshire town of Marlow gave rise to the surname. It was popularized by actress Marlo Thomas in the 1960s.
What is the origin of the name Marlo?
Marlo has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "remnants of the lake". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "marshy land by a lake".
Is Marlo a boy or girl name?
Marlo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1696. As a girl name, it is ranked #1706. Marlo is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Marlo?
Marlo is pronounced m-AHRL-oh.
How popular is the name Marlo?
Marlo is currently ranked #1696 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marlo?
Common nicknames for Marlo include Mar, May, Maie, and Markins.
What are good middle names for Marlo?
Popular middle name pairings include Marlo James, Marlo Ray, Marlo Lee, Marlo Finn, and Marlo West.
What are good sibling names for Marlo?
Names that pair well with Marlo as siblings include Arlo, Harlow, Cora, Marlowe, and Beckett.
How many syllables does Marlo have?
Marlo has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Marlo a common or rare name?
Marlo is an uncommon name, ranked #1696 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Marlo?
About the Name Marlo
Marlo is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "remnants of the lake" in Old English .
Is Marlo a boy or girl name? Marlo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,696 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,706. Marlo is more commonly used as a boy name.
Marlo is currently ranked #1,696 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Marlo has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AHRL-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Marlo include Mar, May, Maie, and Markins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marlo include Marlon, Marley, Marlin, Marlow, Marlowe . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis