Boy
English
2 syllables
Arlo
AR-loh
/ˈɑːrloʊ/
"The fortified hill" — a name of folk poetry, natural ruggedness, and creative free spirit
Arlo has roots in an anglicized Irish place name and gained literary fame through Edmund Spenser's 16th-century epic The Faerie Queene, where Arlo Hill is a mythic landscape. It lay dormant for centuries before exploding onto the modern naming scene, driven partly by folk singer Arlo Guthrie and partly by a wave of parents seeking short, punchy names with artistic credentials. Arlo now consistently ranks among the fastest-rising boys' names in the English-speaking world.
Quick Facts
Letters4
SyllablesAr · lo
GenderBoy
OriginEnglish
Root WordAherlow
MeaningFortified hill, between two highlands
PopularityPopular
Peak Year2022
Trend
↑ Rising
Nicknames
Ar
About the Name Arlo
Arlo is believed to derive from the Irish Gaelic Aherlow, meaning 'between two highlands' or 'fortified hill.' It also has associations with the poetic landscape of Spenser's Faerie Queene.
Arlo is one of the fastest-rising names in the English-speaking world, now ranking in the top 100 in the US, UK, and Australia. It has gone from an obscure vintage choice to a mainstream favorite in under a decade.
Arlo suggests a creative, free-spirited, and independent character. The name has strong associations with artistic expression, love of nature, and a gentle but confident individualism.
Nature-inspired and short names pair beautifully with Arlo: Arlo James, Arlo Finn, Arlo Bear, or Arlo River. The name's two syllables work well with virtually any middle name length.
Arlo likely originates from an anglicized form of the Irish place name Aherlow. It appeared in English literature via Edmund Spenser in the 1590s and was revived as a personal name in the 20th century.
Arlo is short enough that nicknames are rarely used. Ar is occasionally used, but most parents and friends simply use the full name, which has a crisp, complete sound.
Personality of Arlo
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Arlo
Creativity
92%
Elegance
70%
Independence
88%
Intelligence
78%
Strength
72%
Warmth
80%
Famous People Named Arlo
A
Arlo Guthrie
American folk singer and songwriter, son of Woody Guthrie, famous for the 18-minute epic Alice's Restaurant
A
Arlo (Pixar)
The loveable dinosaur protagonist of Pixar's 2015 animated film The Good Dinosaur
A
Arlo Parks
British singer-songwriter and poet who won the Mercury Prize in 2021 for her debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams
E
Edmund Spenser's Arlo Hill
Mythic location in The Faerie Queene (1590s), one of the earliest literary uses of the name
Middle Names for Arlo
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Arlo
Arlo James
Arlo Bear
Arlo Finn
Arlo River
Arlo Scout
Arlo Leo
Arlo Sage
Arlo Reid
Arlo Cash
Arlo Blue
Arlo Oak
Arlo Beau
Names Similar to Arlo
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Arlo
1590s
Edmund Spenser uses Arlo Hill as a sacred mythic landscape in The Faerie Queene
1947
Arlo Guthrie is born, establishing the name's countercultural and folk music identity
1967
Arlo Guthrie releases Alice's Restaurant, making the name known across America's folk revival community
2010s
Arlo begins climbing baby name charts in the UK, US, and Australia as parents seek retro-cool short names
2022
Arlo enters the top 100 in both the US and UK, cementing its status as a modern classic
Numerology & Symbolism of Arlo
1
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
7
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Aquarius
9
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Teal
💎
Lucky Stone
Turquoise
🌸
Lucky Flower
Wildflower
Arlo Around the World
How Arlo is written in different languages and scripts
أرلو
Arabic
アーロ
Japanese
Арло
Russian
아를로
Korean
阿洛
Chinese
Άρλο
Greek
आर्लो
Hindi
ארלו
Hebrew
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