"lake meadow"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Marlow
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRL-oh ]
Does Marlow flow with your last name?
A literary English name evoking lakeside mystery
English
American
Vintage
Literary
Sophisticated
Bold
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Marlow
Marlow comes from the Old English 'mere-laf,' meaning 'remnants of a lake' or 'driftwood from a lake.' It originated as a place name for the town of Marlow in Buckinghamshire, England, situated on the River Thames. The name Marlowe was made famous by Christopher Marlowe, the Elizabethan playwright who was Shakespeare's contemporary and rival.
Marlow (and Marlowe) has been rising rapidly as parents seek names that feel literary and sophisticated while remaining approachable. The surname-as-first-name trend has been particularly strong in this style, and Marlow fits neatly alongside Harlow, Arlo, and similar names.
Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593) was one of the greatest dramatists of the Elizabethan era, author of Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine. He is often considered the most important English playwright before Shakespeare. The name also appears in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, where Charles Marlow is the narrator.
Historical Record
Marlow first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,557 babies have been named Marlow in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marlow is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,491 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Christopher Marlowe was born the same year as Shakespeare (1564) and is considered by some scholars to have influenced or even co-written some of Shakespeare's plays
- The town of Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on the River Thames, was home to Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein there in 1817
Marlow in Other Languages
German
Marlau
Old English
Mere-laf
Popularity Over Time
#2,491
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marlow
C
Christopher Marlowe
Writer
1564
English Elizabethan playwright and poet, author of Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine, considered Shakespeare's greatest con...
English Elizabethan playwright and poet, author of Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine, considered Shakespeare's greatest contemporary
M
Marlowe Boon
Entertainer
Character from various storytelling traditions representing the adventurous, world-weary traveler archetype
C
Charles Marlow Fictional
Other
The fictional narrator of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, one of literature's most famous storytellers
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,491
- Total SSA Count
- 55
- 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
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marlow
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Marlow is also used as a girl name, ranked #1318.
View Marlow as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marlow
What does the name Marlow mean?
"lake meadow" (from Old English). Marlow comes from the Old English 'mere-laf,' meaning 'remnants of a lake' or 'driftwood from a lake.' It originated as a place name for the town of Marlow in Buckinghamshire, England, situated on the River Thames. The name Marlowe was made famous by Christopher Marlowe, the Elizabethan playwright who was Shakespeare's contemporary and rival.
What is the origin of the name Marlow?
Marlow has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "lake meadow".
Is Marlow a boy or girl name?
Marlow is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2491. As a girl name, it is ranked #1318. Marlow is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Marlow?
Marlow is pronounced m-AHRL-oh.
How popular is the name Marlow?
Marlow is currently ranked #2491 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marlow?
Common nicknames for Marlow include Mar.
What are good middle names for Marlow?
Popular middle name pairings include Marlow James, Marlow Henry, Marlow Theodore, Marlow August, and Marlow Gray.
What are good sibling names for Marlow?
Names that pair well with Marlow as siblings include Harlow, Arlo, Isla, Wren, Beckett, and Clementine.
How many syllables does Marlow have?
Marlow has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Marlow a common or rare name?
Marlow is an uncommon name, ranked #2491 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Marlow?
About the Name Marlow
Marlow is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "lake meadow" in Old English .
Is Marlow a boy or girl name? Marlow is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,491 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,318. Marlow is more commonly used as a girl name.
Marlow is currently ranked #2,491 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Marlow has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AHRL-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Marlow include Mar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marlow include Marlon, Marley, Marlo, Marlin, 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