Why We Named Our Son Arlo: The Complete Guide to This Popular Name

Eight years on from choosing this gorgeous name for our youngest, I’m still completely besotted with our decision. Here’s everything you need to know about the name Arlo – and why it might just be perfect for your little one too.

A quick 2026 update

Since I first published this post, the ONS has released its baby name statistics for 2024, and I have to share the latest figures because they genuinely surprised me. Arlo has jumped to number 15 in England and Wales. Number 15! When we chose it in 2017 it wasn’t even in the top 100. I have very mixed feelings about this, if I’m honest. Part of me is delighted that so many parents have landed on the same name we loved. The other part of me is that smug early adopter who wants to mutter “we were here first.” Our Arlo, now eight, remains utterly unbothered and has yet to meet another Arlo in his class, so the real-world experience is still better than the statistics suggest.

Our Arlo Story: How We Fell in Love with This Name

Back in 2017, when I was heavily pregnant with our third baby, Adam and I were in full panic mode about names. We’d managed to nail it with Freddie and Sasha and decided on these fairly quickly, but finding the perfect name for baby number three felt like Mission Impossible.

I’d been obsessing over baby names since I was about twelve (yes, really – I had lists upon lists saved on my old laptop!), but when it came to the crunch, nothing felt quite right. We wanted something that was strong but gentle, unique without being completely bonkers, and something that would suit both a cheeky eight-year-old and a distinguished adult.

Then one evening, whilst scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled across Arlo. I said it out loud, and Adam looked up from his laptop with this massive grin. “That’s it,” he said. “That’s a great boy’s name to add to the shortlist.”

And honestly? Eight years later, I couldn’t agree more. Our Arlo is absolutely, utterly, perfectly an Arlo.

The Meaning Behind Arlo: More Than Just a Pretty Sound

One of the things I absolutely love about the name Arlo is that it doesn’t have just one meaning – it’s got this lovely collection of interpretations that all feel quite special.

The Main Meanings of Arlo

“Between Two Hills” or “Between Two Highlands” This comes from the Irish-Gaelic word “Aherlow,” meaning “between two highlands.” I find this meaning particularly lovely – there’s something so peaceful and protective about the image of being nestled safely between two hills.

“Fortified Hill” or “Armed Hill” From Old English origins, Arlo can mean “fortified hill” or “guardian of the property,” which suggests strength and protection. Perfect for a little boy who’s going to grow up to be someone’s protector!

“Barberry Tree” In Spanish, Arlo refers to the barberry tree, a beautiful plant that comes in different colors, shapes, and sizes and are always eye-catching. I love this botanical connection – it makes me think of something vibrant and resilient.

“Endless Energy” Some sources state it to be of Old English origin, meaning “endless energy” – and anyone who knows our Arlo will tell you this meaning is absolutely spot on!

The Literary Connection: Arlo’s Renaissance Roots

Here’s a fascinating bit of history I didn’t know when we first chose the name: Arlo was first used by Edmund Spenser, who “evidently invented” it, as the name of a hill where the gods debate in his poem The Faerie Queene (1590 and 1596).

So technically, our Arlo shares a name with a location from one of the most important works of English Renaissance literature. Not bad for a little lad from South East London!

Famous Arlos: In Very Good Company

When people ask about the name Arlo, they often wonder about famous people who share it. Well, our boy’s in excellent company:

Musicians and Artists

Arlo Guthrie – The most famous person named Arlo, and the name that all our elderly relatives could associate it with! He was a musician, songwriter, actor and humanitarian. This legendary folk singer is probably who most people think of when they hear the name.

Arlo Parks – Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho, known professionally as Arlo Parks, is a British singer-songwriter and poet. A brilliant contemporary artist who’s been making waves in the music world.

In Sports and Media

Arlo White – a sports commentator, play-by-play commentator for Major League Soccer and for the LIV Golf league.

Arló Ó Caireal – the character played by Michael Fassbender in the 2024 Irish-language film Kneecap. If you haven’t seen it yet, add it to your list immediately. It’s brilliant. Fassbender plays a disillusioned Irish teacher who becomes a key figure in the rise of Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap, and the fact that his character carries our son’s name felt like a very good omen when we watched it.

Celebrity Children Named Arlo

The name’s been chosen by quite a few celebrities over the years:

• Arlo Robert Galafassi (b. 2011) – Toni Collette’s son
• Arlo Carroll (b. 2016) son of footballer Andy Carroll and reality TV personality Billi Mucklow
• Celebrity couple Leighton Meester and husband Adam Brody naming their daughter Arlo in 2015

How Popular Is Arlo? The Current Numbers

This is probably one of the most common questions I get about our name choice. When we chose Arlo back in 2017, it felt quite unique. Now? Well, the numbers tell quite an interesting story!

Popularity in the UK

Arlo is now firmly in the upper echelons of UK baby names. According to the Office for National Statistics data released in July 2025, Arlo ranked 15th for boys born in England and Wales in 2024. That’s up from 22nd the previous year, and a staggering climb from outside the top 100 back in 2010. To put it another way, it’s risen over 126 places in a decade. So yes, we absolutely picked a name that was on the up, even if we had absolutely no idea at the time.

Across the pond, the Social Security Administration’s 2024 data puts Arlo at number 146 for boys in the US, up from 188 in 2023. It’s climbing there too, though it still has that slightly-under-the-radar quality that the UK version has long since lost. (As evidenced by the American lady on our Ibiza boat trip who kept calling him “Arla” — bless her.)

On Nameberry’s own global popularity chart for 2026, Arlo sits at number 16 overall, which tells you something about where naming culture is heading. It’s very much a name of this moment.

Popularity in the US

Across the pond, In the US, the Social Security Administration (SSA) showed that in 2023 (latest data released in 2024), Arlo ranked 188th for boys. It has climbed dramatically in the last 20 years – it wasn’t even in the top 1,000 before 2012, but now sits comfortably in the top 200. It still not overly common in the US though I feel. A recent example was on our recent holiday to Ibiza, where we went on a boat trip with a solo American lady from Texas, and she just couldn’t get to grips with the name, and kept called him ‘Arla’! 

How Arlo Compares to Similar Names

If Arlo is on your shortlist, you might also be considering names with a similar feel. Here is how they stack up:

Name	UK Rank (2023)	Meaning	Vibe
Arlo	22nd	Between two hills	Modern, gentle, creative
Theo	3rd	Divine gift	Classic, warm, popular
Felix	35th	Happy, fortunate	Cheerful, vintage revival
Jasper	52nd	Treasure bearer	Earthy, artistic, distinctive
Milo	24th	Soldier or merciful	Friendly, approachable, modern

For me, Arlo hits a sweet spot that is harder to find with some of the others. It is less common than Theo or Milo, but more recognisable than some of the quirkier options. And unlike Felix or Jasper, it does not have any strong associations that might put people off. 

What This Means for Arlo Parents

Here’s the thing though – even with these rising numbers, our Arlo is still the only one in his year group at school (although there is one in the year above him), and that feels about right to me. A ranking of 22nd in the UK sounds high, but in reality, it means roughly 1 in every 100 baby boys gets the name. So while it’s definitely not rare anymore, it’s not like there are three Arlos in every class either.

Rising global appeal is definitely a thing with Arlo – it has that short, modern feel while still being vintage (it was used in the 19th century but feels fresh again). Celebrity influence from stars like Toni Collette, Leighton Meester & Adam Brody, and Johnny Knoxville who have children named Arlo has certainly boosted its trendiness.

The name Arlo has certainly risen in popularity massively since 2010, with quite a few celebrities choosing the name. But I actually don’t mind that it’s become more popular – it just means other parents have recognised what a lovely name it is, and we always get compliments!

Variations and Nicknames: Making Arlo Your Own

One lovely thing about Arlo is how flexible it is. We’ve stuck with Arlo (though his siblings sometimes call him “Arls” when they’re being cheeky), but there are loads of options:

Common Nicknames

• Ar
• Ari
• Arls
• Arly-pops 
• The Arlster (this might just be us though!)

Spelling Variations

A handful more babies of both sexes receiving the Ahrlo, Arlow and Arlowe spellings, which take this name more into smart surname territory, although I personally prefer the classic spelling.

Is Arlo a Boy’s Name or Girl’s Name?

Traditionally, Arlo has been a boys’ name, but A 2018 Yahoo! UK article indicated an increasing popularity of “Arlo” – alongside such names as “James”, “Charlie”, “Noah”, and “Reggie” as girls’ name in England and Wales.

Arlo originated as a boy’s name but is becoming more popular as a girls name. Arlo can be a gender-neutral name. While we chose it for our son, I actually think it works beautifully for girls too – it has that lovely soft-yet-strong quality that crosses gender lines brilliantly.

Middle Names That Work Beautifully with Arlo

If you’re considering Arlo, you might be wondering about middle names. Here are some combinations that flow particularly well:

Classic Choices:

• Arlo James
• Arlo Thomas
• Arlo William
• Arlo George

More Modern Options:

• Arlo River
• Arlo Felix
• Arlo Sebastian
• Arlo Max

Our Arlo’s middle names are quite unusual rather than classic, so his overall name feels fresh and modern (although I’m aware it could possible date!).

What It’s Really Like Having an Arlo

Eight years in, here’s the honest truth about life with an Arlo:

The Good:

• People always remember his name and comment on how lovely it is
• It suits him at every age – from tiny baby to confident eight-year-old
• It’s easy to spell and pronounce (mostly!)
• He loves his name and has never wished it were different

The Challenges:

• Occasionally people haven’t heard of it and ask us to repeat it
• Sometimes it gets misspelled as “Arlow” or people assume it’s short for something else

But honestly? These are tiny inconveniences compared to how perfectly his name suits him.

The Personality Behind the Name

I don’t usually buy into the idea that names shape personality, but our Arlo does seem to embody some of the name’s meanings. Some sources state it to be of Old English origin, meaning “endless energy” – and that’s our boy to a T!

He’s got this wonderful combination of being strong-willed and gentle-hearted, independent but also incredibly caring towards his siblings. Whether that’s the name or just his natural personality, I couldn’t say – but it all fits together beautifully.

Sibling Names That Work Well with Arlo

If you’re thinking about Arlo for a sibling, here are some names that work brilliantly together based on similar vibes:

For Brothers:

• Arlo and Felix
• Arlo and Jasper
• Arlo and Oscar
• Arlo and Theo

For Sisters:

• Arlo and Luna
• Arlo and Iris
• Arlo and Ruby
• Arlo and Bonnie

Our own combination of Freddie, Sasha, and Arlo has worked perfectly – they’re all slightly different styles but somehow complement each other beautifully.

International Appeal: How Arlo Travels

One thing I love about Arlo is how well it works internationally. We’ve travelled quite a bit as a family, and the name translates beautifully across different cultures and languages. Easy to pronounce and spell, this Christian name fast gained popularity among the English-speaking countries of the world.

Why Arlo Might Be Perfect for Your Family

If you’re considering Arlo, here’s why it might be exactly what you’re looking for:

It’s familiar but not common – people have heard of it, but it’s not going to be the next Mason or Oliver where there are three in every class.

It ages brilliantly – I can easily picture a baby Arlo, a teenage Arlo, and a distinguished adult Arlo. The name has real longevity.

It’s strong but gentle – there’s something really lovely about that balance. It’s not harsh or overly masculine, but it’s definitely not wishy-washy either.

It has great meaning – whether you connect with the “between two hills” meaning, the “fortified hill” interpretation, or the “endless energy” definition, they’re all positive and meaningful.

The Regional Popularity Picture

This name consistently ranked high in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Here in the UK, it’s definitely having a moment, but it hasn’t reached that saturation point where it becomes boring.

I work with youth groups so meet a lot but if I had to guess a name on approach, Arlo for a boy and Isla for a girl would turn several heads if I shouted them in any group. So yes, it’s definitely on people’s radars now!

Our Verdict: Eight Years Later

Would we choose Arlo again? Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt. It’s aged beautifully with him, it suits his personality perfectly, and we still get lovely comments about what a gorgeous name it is.

More importantly, our Arlo loves his name. He’s never once complained about it or wished it were different, and at eight years old, he’s definitely old enough to have an opinion!

Final Thoughts on Choosing Arlo

Eight years into life with an Arlo, I can honestly say it remains one of the best decisions we made as parents. It is the kind of name that grows with your child beautifully. Our tiny newborn Arlo suited it just as perfectly as our confident, energetic eight-year-old does now.

If you are drawn to Arlo, trust that instinct. Yes, it has become more popular than it was a decade ago, but that simply means other parents have cottoned on to what a gorgeous name it is. It still feels distinctive without being difficult, modern without being faddy, and strong without being harsh.

The combination of meaningful origins, easy pronunciation, and that lovely soft-yet-substantial sound makes it a name that works across ages, contexts, and even countries. Whether your little one becomes a creative type, a sporty kid, or something else entirely, Arlo will suit them.

And honestly? Eight years on, I still get a little thrill every time someone calls our boys name across the playground. It just sounds right.

Frequently asked questions about the name Arlo

Is Arlo a popular name in the UK?

It’s become one of the most popular boys’ names in England and Wales. According to the ONS 2024 data, Arlo ranks 15th for boys, making it firmly mainstream rather than the under-the-radar choice it felt like a decade ago. That said, plenty of Arlos are spread across different year groups, so your child is unlikely to share a classroom with three others.

What does the name Arlo mean?

Arlo has several possible meanings depending on the origin you focus on. The most widely cited is “between two hills” or “between two highlands,” derived from the Irish place name Aherlow. Old English interpretations suggest “fortified hill” or a connection to Harlow, meaning “army hill.” In Spanish, arlo refers to the barberry tree. Most parents, us included, are drawn to the Irish meaning for its sense of being sheltered and protected.

Is Arlo a boy’s name or a girl’s name?

Arlo originated as a boys’ name and is still primarily used for boys in the UK. However, it’s increasingly being given to girls too. Leighton Meester and Adam Brody chose it for their daughter back in 2015, which nudged it into gender-neutral territory. If you love it for a girl, you’d be in good company.

Is Arlo a good name?

Completely biased answer incoming: yes, it’s a brilliant name. Eight years in, our Arlo suits it completely, and I can’t imagine him being anything else. It’s short, distinctive, easy to spell, easy to say, ages well, and works across pretty much every walk of life. The only downside is that it’s no longer the quiet little secret it once was.

What are good middle names for Arlo?

This is one of the most common questions I get asked. Arlo works beautifully with strong, single-syllable middle names: Arlo James, Arlo George, Arlo Jack, and Arlo Finn all flow nicely. It also pairs well with two-syllable names that start with a consonant: Arlo William, Arlo Thomas, or Arlo Sebastian if you want something a little grander.  

What names go well with Arlo for siblings?

We’d know – our older two are Freddie and Sasha, and all three names share that same quality of being recognisable without being overused (though Arlo is catching up). Other names that sit well in the same family are Rafferty, Juno, Margot, Sonny, Iris, Remy, Rafferty, Rory, and Elodie.

Have you chosen the name Arlo for your little one, or are you still deciding? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re an Arlo parent yourself, do share your own naming story – I love connecting with other families who’ve fallen for this beautiful name.

 

See more of my parenting posts here and baby-related posts here