"Ōn's hill; from the hill of Ōn"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Onslow
Pronunciation: [ AHNSL-oh ]
Does Onslow flow with your last name?
Proudly eccentric English aristocratic charm
English
British
Aristocratic
English
Vintage
Quirky
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Onslow
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Onslow
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"from the burial mound"
Origin: Old English (hlāw)
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Onslow
See all →What the Onslow report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Onslow 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 Onslow
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Onslow head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Onslow 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 Onslow
Onslow is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from a place in Shropshire, England. The toponym comes from Old English 'Ōn' (a personal name) combined with 'hlāw' (hill, burial mound), meaning 'the hill of a man called Ōn.' The Onslow family became prominent English aristocrats — the Earls of Onslow held estates in Surrey and Shropshire — giving the name a decidedly upper-class English character.
Onslow was used in Victorian and Edwardian England primarily as a surname transferred to given name use, in the tradition of British aristocratic naming. It has never been widely popular, remaining a curiosity beloved by fans of British eccentricity and upper-class naming conventions.
The Onslow family produced Richard Onslow, Speaker of the House of Commons in the 17th century, and later Earls of Onslow who served in cabinet. The name thus carries genuine political and aristocratic history in British culture.
Fun Facts
- Onslow is a character in the British TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances (1990-1995), played by Geoffrey Hughes — a slovenly but good-natured foil to the social-climbing Hyacinth Bucket.
- The Earls of Onslow are one of England's oldest continuous peerages, with the earldom created in 1801.
- Onslow is also a city in Western Australia, a remote town named after the English statesman William Hillier, 4th Earl of Onslow.
Onslow in Other Languages
Latin
Onslowius
Welsh
Onslo
French
Onslow
German
Onslow
English
Onslow
Famous People Named Onslow
R
Richard Onslow
Politician
1654
Speaker of the House of Commons (1708-1710), notable English parliamentarian
O
Onslow (Keeping Up Appearances) Fictional
Entertainer
Beloved slovenly character in BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, played by Geoffrey Hughes
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Dam
Boy
"earth (as short form of Adam)"
#14,953
Andarius
Boy
"he who holds firm the good"
#15,191
Lehman
Boy
"Leaseholder; tenant farmer"
#15,007
Aymeric
Boy
"work-power, home-ruler"
#15,181
Tully
Boy
"ruler of the people"
#15,133
Compare Onslow with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #15,100
- Total SSA Count
- 7
- Cultural Origins
- English British
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Ons
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Onslow
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Onslow fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Onslow →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 Onslow with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Onslow
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Onslow and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Onslow 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 →
Dam
Boy
Hebrew origin
"earth (as short form of Adam)"
#14,953 in US
Andarius
Boy
Old Persian origin
"he who holds firm the good"
#15,191 in US
Lehman
Boy
German origin
"Leaseholder; tenant farmer"
#15,007 in US
Aymeric
Boy
Germanic origin
"work-power, home-ruler"
#15,181 in US
Tully
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"ruler of the people"
#15,133 in US
Dasmine
Boy
American English origin
"invented blend of Desmond and Jasmine"
#14,996 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Onslow's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Onslow
What does the name Onslow mean?
"Ōn's hill; from the hill of Ōn" (from Old English). "from the burial mound" (from Old English (hlāw)). Onslow is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from a place in Shropshire, England. The toponym comes from Old English 'Ōn' (a personal name) combined with 'hlāw' (hill, burial mound), meaning 'the hill of a man called Ōn.' The Onslow family became prominent English aristocrats — the Earls of Onslow held estates in Surrey and Shropshire — giving the name a decidedly upper-class English character.
What is the origin of the name Onslow?
Onslow has Old English, Old English (hlāw), English, and British origins. In Old English, it means "Ōn's hill; from the hill of Ōn". In Old English (hlāw), it means "from the burial mound".
Is Onslow a boy or girl name?
Onslow is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Onslow?
Onslow is pronounced AHNSL-oh.
How popular is the name Onslow?
Onslow is currently ranked #15100 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Onslow?
Common nicknames for Onslow include Ons.
What are good middle names for Onslow?
Popular middle name pairings include Onslow Frederick, Onslow George, Onslow James, Onslow Henry, and Onslow Arthur.
What are good sibling names for Onslow?
Names that pair well with Onslow as siblings include Algernon, Hortense, Phineas, Cordelia, and Rupert.
How many syllables does Onslow have?
Onslow has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Onslow a common or rare name?
Onslow is an uncommon name, ranked #15100 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Onslow
Onslow is a boy name with English and British origins . The name means "Ōn's hill; from the hill of Ōn" in Old English .
Onslow is currently ranked #15,100 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Onslow has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHNSL-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Onslow include Ons. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
O
Names Starting with O
More boy names like Onslow
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy 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