"fortified hill"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Arlo
Does Arlo flow with your last name?
A bold vintage name with modern gender-neutral appeal
English
American
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Modern
Bold
Playful
Unique
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"barberry shrub"
Origin: Spanish
Language: Spanish
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The Story of Arlo
Arlo derives from Old English place names like Harlowe, meaning 'fortified hill' or 'army hill'. It also has possible Spanish roots from 'el arlo,' a type of barberry shrub. Traditionally used for boys, Arlo has increasingly crossed gender lines in the 21st century as parents embrace its crisp, modern sound.
Arlo surged in popularity for boys after Pixar's 2015 film 'The Good Dinosaur,' and its gender-neutral appeal grew as celebrity parents like Lena Dunham began choosing it for daughters.
In English-speaking countries, Arlo has a long history as a literary and artistic surname — most famously folk singer Arlo Guthrie — now enjoying revival as a first name for both genders.
Historical Record
Arlo first appeared in US Social Security records in 2008.
Over 801 babies have been named Arlo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Arlo is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,254 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Arlo Guthrie wrote 'Alice's Restaurant Massacree,' an 18-minute folk song that became a Thanksgiving tradition
- Arlo appears on US Social Security name charts for girls since 2015
Arlo in Other Languages
French
Arlo
German
Arlo
Italian
Arlo
Spanish
Arlo
Popularity Over Time
#2,254
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Arlo with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,254
- Total SSA Count
- 83
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ar
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 2-1 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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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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Arlo
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Arlo is also used as a boy name, ranked #146.
View Arlo as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Latin/Greek origin
"pearl"
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Greek charis origin
"grace, kindness"
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"from Ávila"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arlo
What does the name Arlo mean?
"fortified hill" (from Old English). "barberry shrub" (from Spanish). Arlo derives from Old English place names like Harlowe, meaning 'fortified hill' or 'army hill'. It also has possible Spanish roots from 'el arlo,' a type of barberry shrub. Traditionally used for boys, Arlo has increasingly crossed gender lines in the 21st century as parents embrace its crisp, modern sound.
What is the origin of the name Arlo?
Arlo has Old English, Spanish, English, American, and Australian origins. In Old English, it means "fortified hill". In Spanish, it means "barberry shrub".
Is Arlo a boy or girl name?
Arlo is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2254. As a boy name, it is ranked #146. Arlo is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Arlo?
Arlo is currently ranked #2254 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Arlo?
Popular middle name pairings include Arlo Jane, Arlo Rose, Arlo Mae, Arlo June, Arlo Grace, Arlo Blue, and Arlo Skye.
What are good sibling names for Arlo?
Names that pair well with Arlo as siblings include Milo, Jasper, Willow, Indie, Scout, Finn, and Wren.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #2254 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Arlo?
About the Name Arlo
Arlo is a girl 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 girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,254 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #146. Arlo is more commonly used as a boy name.
Arlo is currently ranked #2,254 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Arlo has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Arlo include Ar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Arlo include Arleth, Arlette, Arlet, Arlett, Arlene . 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