"drained lake"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Marlo
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRL-oh ]
Girl Name
#1,706 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
Literary vintage cool with an effortless edge
English
American
Vintage
Bold
Sophisticated
Modern
Meaning & Origin
"famous battle"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Marlo Jean
Marlo Grace
Marlo Elizabeth
Marlo Scout
Marlo Faye
Marlo Wren
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Marlo is also used as a boy name, ranked #1696.
View Marlo as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.