"drained lake"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Marlo
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRL-oh ]
Does Marlo flow with your last name?
Literary vintage cool with an effortless edge
English
American
Vintage
Bold
Sophisticated
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Marlo
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Marlo
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"famous battle"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Marlo
See all →What the Marlo report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Marlo the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Marlo
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Marlo head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Marlo actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Marlo
Marlo is a simplified form of Marlowe, an English surname derived from Old English 'mere' (lake) and 'lāf' (remnant or leavings), meaning drained lake or lake remnant. Alternatively it may derive from Old German elements meaning famous battle. The playwright Christopher Marlowe made the surname famous in Elizabethan England. As a girl's name, Marlo has a cool, vintage-modern quality that bridges eras effortlessly.
Marlo has gained momentum as the Marlowe and Harlow trend sweeps through fashionable naming circles. Its two-syllable simplicity makes it feel more wearable than the longer Marlowe while retaining all the literary cool.
Christopher Marlowe, the Elizabethan dramatist who may have influenced some of Shakespeare's works, gives the name a rich literary heritage. The name also evokes the hard-boiled detective Philip Marlowe from Raymond Chandler's novels.
Historical Record
Marlo first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,014 babies have been named Marlo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marlo is past its peak , currently ranked #1,706 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Marlo Thomas, actress and activist known for That Girl, helped put the name on the cultural map.
- Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe is one of fiction's most iconic detectives.
Marlo in Other Languages
French
Marleau
German
Marlow
Italian
Marlò
Spanish
Marlo
Popularity Over Time
#1,706
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1968
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marlo
M
Marlo Hampton
Entertainer
1974
American television personality and fashion entrepreneur
M
Marlo Thomas
Actor
1937
American actress and activist known for That Girl and Free to Be You and Me
P
Philip Marlowe Fictional
Other
Iconic fictional private detective created by Raymond Chandler
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,706
- Total SSA Count
- 119
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mar
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English 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
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Marlo fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Marlo is also used as a boy name, ranked #1696.
View Marlo as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Marlo →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Marlo with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Marlo
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Marlo and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Marlo sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Lennyn
Girl
Greek origin
"small cloak (from Lena/Helena root)"
#1,823 in US
Zyra
Girl
Modern American origin
"radiance, dawn"
#1,798 in US
Tess
Girl
Greek therizo origin
"to harvest, reaper"
#1,774 in US
Zella
Girl
Hebrew origin
"shade, shadow"
#1,848 in US
Emmi
Girl
Old German origin
"entire, complete"
#1,875 in US
Arlene
Girl
Germanic origin
"eagle"
#1,817 in US
America
Girl
Germanic (Amerigo etymology) origin
"home of the ruler/power"
#1,821 in US
Maribel
Girl
Hebrew/Latin origin
"star of the sea, beautiful"
#1,704 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Marlo's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marlo
What does the name Marlo mean?
"drained lake" (from Old English). "famous battle" (from Germanic). Marlo is a simplified form of Marlowe, an English surname derived from Old English 'mere' (lake) and 'lāf' (remnant or leavings), meaning drained lake or lake remnant. Alternatively it may derive from Old German elements meaning famous battle. The playwright Christopher Marlowe made the surname famous in Elizabethan England. As a girl's name, Marlo has a cool, vintage-modern quality that bridges eras effortlessly.
What is the origin of the name Marlo?
Marlo has Old English, Germanic, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "drained lake". In Germanic, it means "famous battle".
Is Marlo a boy or girl name?
Marlo is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1706. As a boy name, it is ranked #1696. 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 #1706 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marlo?
Common nicknames for Marlo include Mar.
What are good middle names for Marlo?
Popular middle name pairings include Marlo Jean, Marlo Grace, Marlo Elizabeth, Marlo Scout, Marlo Faye, and Marlo Wren.
What are good sibling names for Marlo?
Names that pair well with Marlo as siblings include Harlow, Sloane, Lennon, Beckett, Greer, and Quinn.
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 #1706 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Marlo?
About the Name Marlo
Marlo is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "drained lake" in Old English .
Is Marlo a boy or girl name? Marlo is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,706 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,696. Marlo is more commonly used as a boy name.
Marlo is currently ranked #1,706 in popularity for girl 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. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marlo include Marley, Marlee, Marlowe, Marleigh, Marlow . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Marlo
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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