"lake remnants, from the lake land"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Marlow
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRL-oh ]
Does Marlow flow with your last name?
A literary English name with Thames river character
English
American
Vintage
Literary
Bold
Sophisticated
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Marlow
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Marlow
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Marlow
See all →What the Marlow report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Marlow 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 Marlow
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Marlow head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Marlow 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 Marlow
Marlow is an English place name and surname derived from Old English 'mear laf' meaning 'remnants from the lake' or 'driftwood.' The Buckinghamshire town of Marlow on the Thames gave rise to the surname. As a given name, it gained attention partly through Christopher Marlowe, the Elizabethan playwright, whose surname is an alternate spelling.
Marlow has been rising strongly for girls as part of the trend toward literary and surname names. It offers a distinctive alternative to the popular Harlow while sharing its vintage Hollywood feel. The name appeals to parents who want something between traditional and unique.
Christopher Marlowe (spelled Marlowe) was Shakespeare's great contemporary and rival, author of Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine. The name also carries nautical and Thames river associations from the English town. For girls, it evokes the spirit of adventurous, literary heroines.
Historical Record
Marlow first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 1,704 babies have been named Marlow in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marlow is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,318 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Christopher Marlowe (alternate spelling Marlowe) may have co-written some of Shakespeare's early plays, according to some scholars
- Marlow in Buckinghamshire, England was Percy Bysshe Shelley's home when he wrote 'The Revolt of Islam' in 1817
- Charles Dickens' character Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield is associated with the town of Marlow
Marlow in Other Languages
French
Marlow
German
Marlow
English
Marlow
Spanish
Marlow
Popularity Over Time
#1,318
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
Elizabethan playwright and poet, contemporary of Shakespeare, author of Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine the Great
M
Marlow Fictional
Other
Fictional narrator in Joseph Conrad's novella 'Heart of Darkness' (1899), one of literature's most iconic storytellers
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Louella
Girl
"famous warrior with brightness"
#1,490
Paisleigh
Girl
"from the church, basilica"
#1,272
Zinnia
Girl
"a bright flowering plant, named after botanist Johan..."
#1,345
Maple
Girl
"maple tree"
#1,190
Alisha
Girl
"noble, of noble kind"
#1,140
Compare Marlow with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,318
- Total SSA Count
- 174
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mar
Marlo
Lo
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 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 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 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marlow
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Marlow fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Marlow is also used as a boy name, ranked #2491.
View Marlow as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Marlow →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 Marlow with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Marlow
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Marlow and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Marlow 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 →
Louella
Girl
Germanic + Latin origin
"famous warrior with brightness"
#1,490 in US
Paisleigh
Girl
Scottish/Latin origin
"from the church, basilica"
#1,272 in US
Zinnia
Girl
Latin/German origin
"a bright flowering plant, named after..."
#1,345 in US
Maple
Girl
Old English origin
"maple tree"
#1,190 in US
Alisha
Girl
Germanic origin
"noble, of noble kind"
#1,140 in US
Patricia
Girl
Latin origin
"noble father's daughter"
#1,299 in US
Miya
Girl
Japanese (alternate kanji) origin
"beautiful"
#1,401 in US
Harriet
Girl
Old High German origin
"power of the household"
#1,154 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Marlow's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marlow
What does the name Marlow mean?
"lake remnants, from the lake land" (from Old English). Marlow is an English place name and surname derived from Old English 'mear laf' meaning 'remnants from the lake' or 'driftwood.' The Buckinghamshire town of Marlow on the Thames gave rise to the surname. As a given name, it gained attention partly through Christopher Marlowe, the Elizabethan playwright, whose surname is an alternate spelling.
What is the origin of the name Marlow?
Marlow has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "lake remnants, from the lake land".
Is Marlow a boy or girl name?
Marlow is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1318. As a boy name, it is ranked #2491. 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 #1318 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marlow?
Common nicknames for Marlow include Mar and Marlo.
What are good middle names for Marlow?
Popular middle name pairings include Marlow James, Marlow Grace, Marlow Rose, Marlow Jane, Marlow Quinn, Marlow Jean, and Marlow Reese.
What are good sibling names for Marlow?
Names that pair well with Marlow as siblings include Harlow, Wren, Sloane, Beckett, Piper, Emerson, River, and Scout.
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 #1318 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Marlow?
About the Name Marlow
Marlow is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "lake remnants, from the lake land" in Old English .
Is Marlow a boy or girl name? Marlow is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,318 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,491. Marlow is more commonly used as a girl name.
Marlow is currently ranked #1,318 in popularity for girl 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, Marlo, and Lo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marlow include Marley, Marlee, Marlowe, Marleigh, Marlene . 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 Marlow
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