"fortified hill"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Arlo
Boy Name
#146 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Folk-music soul meets modern wilderness charm
English
American
Australian
Whimsical
Vintage
Earthy
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"of uncertain origin, possibly barberry hill"
Origin: English
Language: English
"between two hills"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
The Story of Arlo
Arlo's origins are somewhat debated. The most likely etymology points to the Old English place name Harlow, meaning 'fortified hill' or 'army hill' — with Arlo possibly a variant that dropped the initial 'H.' Edmund Spenser used 'Arlo Hill' in his 16th-century epic poem The Faerie Queene, which may be the earliest literary use. Some connect it to a Germanic root meaning 'eagle' (as in names like Karl or Carl). The name remained quite rare until the 21st century, when it exploded in popularity.
Arlo surged dramatically from virtual obscurity to the top 100 in both the US and UK between 2015 and 2023. The name was boosted by celebrity parents including Josh Turner and Keri Russell (who named their son Arlo in 2010). It also benefited from the Pixar film The Good Dinosaur (2015), whose protagonist was named Arlo.
Folk musician Arlo Guthrie, son of Woody Guthrie, is the name's most famous historical bearer, giving it countercultural and folk-music credentials. In Australia, Arlo has become one of the fastest-rising boy names of the 2020s, fitting perfectly with the Australian preference for short, friendly, nature-adjacent names.
Fun Facts
- Arlo entered the US top 100 for boys in 2021 for the first time in recorded history
- Arlo Guthrie performed at Woodstock in 1969 and wrote the legendary 18-minute song Alice's Restaurant Massacree
- The Pixar film The Good Dinosaur featured an Apatosaurus named Arlo, cementing the name for a generation of children
Arlo in Other Languages
French
Arlo
German
Arlo
Italian
Arlo
Spanish
Arlo
Australian English
Arlo
Famous People Named Arlo
A
Arlo Parks
Musician
2000
British singer-songwriter and poet, Mercury Prize winner for her debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams
A
Arlo Guthrie
Musician
1947
American folk singer-songwriter known for Alice's Restaurant Massacree, son of folk legend Woody Guthrie
A
Arlo (son of Sophia Bush)
Other
Celebrity baby name boosting popularity trend
A
Arlo (The Good Dinosaur) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Pixar's 2015 film The Good Dinosaur, an Apatosaurus learning courage in a world where dinosaurs survived ...
Protagonist of Pixar's 2015 film The Good Dinosaur, an Apatosaurus learning courage in a world where dinosaurs survived the asteroid
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #146
- Total SSA Count
- 2,481
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Arlo James
Arlo Thomas
Arlo Bear
Arlo Fox
Arlo River
Arlo Blue
Arlo Reid
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Arlo is also used as a girl name, ranked #2254.
View Arlo as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arlo
What does the name Arlo mean?
"fortified hill" (from Old English). "of uncertain origin, possibly barberry hill" (from English). "between two hills" (from Old Irish). Arlo's origins are somewhat debated. The most likely etymology points to the Old English place name Harlow, meaning 'fortified hill' or 'army hill' — with Arlo possibly a variant that dropped the initial 'H.' Edmund Spenser used 'Arlo Hill' in his 16th-century epic poem The Faerie Queene, which may be the earliest literary use. Some connect it to a Germanic root meaning 'eagle' (as in names like Karl or Carl). The name remained quite rare until the 21st century, when it exploded in popularity.
What is the origin of the name Arlo?
Arlo has Old English, English, Old Irish, American, and Australian origins. In Old English, it means "fortified hill". In English, it means "of uncertain origin, possibly barberry hill". In Old Irish, it means "between two hills".
Is Arlo a boy or girl name?
Arlo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #146. As a girl name, it is ranked #2254. Arlo is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Arlo?
Arlo is currently ranked #146 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Arlo?
Popular middle name pairings include Arlo James, Arlo Thomas, Arlo Bear, Arlo Fox, Arlo River, Arlo Blue, and Arlo Reid.
What are good sibling names for Arlo?
Names that pair well with Arlo as siblings include Milo, Isla, Clover, Finn, Margot, Wilder, and Juniper.
How many syllables does Arlo have?
Arlo has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Arlo a common or rare name?
Arlo is a popular name, ranked #146 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Arlo
Arlo is a boy name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "fortified hill" in Old English .
Is Arlo a boy or girl name? Arlo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #146 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,254. Arlo is more commonly used as a boy name.
Arlo is currently ranked #146 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Arlo has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Arlo include Arlen, Arley, Arlin, Arlan, Arlow . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.