Arlo........how popular?

[LumpyCustard69]

I like it. But I'm not too sure it won't become too popular this year. My other top choices are Adam and Oscar.
I don't want anything too stand out, but also don't want something too popular. There are so few names I actually like

[Sophronia]

I think it's popular on Mumsnet, but not particularly popular in real life.

[Blu]

Arlo is nowhere near as oftenly found as Adam or Oscar.

If you like the name use it!

I love it.

[MrNedSchneebly]

Agree. Unusual without being totally out there in my opinion. I absolutely love the name. But I bet you will find people who think it's too unorthodox and 'hippy'. I suggested it for one of ours and went down like a lead balloon with DH.

[Mangobubbles]

There are Oscars everywhere here, 3 in my DS year (2 classes) there are 3 of them. I only know one Adam and no Arlos. We are in Surrey area. If you live Arlo, go for it!

[HeyDuggee]

I only know Arlo the cat from Bing Bunny.

[sweetpeame]

I don't know any and I'm in London. I really like it. Definitely know a lot more Oscars and Adams (although the Adams I know are a bit older typically).

[diddl]

It's a fabulous name.
Loved it since hearing of Arlo Guthrie more than 30yrs ago.

I'm in Germany so no help on popularity I'm afraid.

[prepperpig]

I've never even heard the name Arlo.

There are loads of Oscars at my DSs' school though.

[pieceofpurplesky]

Have taught two Arlo's and probably 20 each if Oscar and Adam in 16 years

[patienceisvirtuous]

Two of my colleagues kid's are Arlo. They try super hard to be middle class so it doesn't have great connotations for me...

[grabaspoon]

2 under 5 (and both in the same street!)

[NerrSnerr]

I have met one baby Arlo.

[RedToothBrush]

Arlo ranked 189th in the last stats and was still rising in popularity. The suggestion is it has a while to go before it does. A lot of the baby naming websites are tipping -O sounding names to be the next big thing in trends. Think Mylo, Juno, Harlow, Arlo, Willow, Marlow, Margo(t), Monroe, Indigo, Shiloh, Hugo, Rocco, Orlando, Romeo, Leo. All without exception on the rise.

Adam is currently gently on the decline, though still popular ranking 40th.

Oscar ranked 7th and has been rising for a while and the last stats gave no indication that we've yet hit Peak Oscar.

So I think you have a difficult choice if you want popular but not too popular. Both Arlo and Adam might be a gamble. Personally I think you should steer clear of Oscar if popularity is a concern to you.

Arlo is probably more prone to fashion trends and could date badly but is different. I think Arlo is currently in very middle class ground, but if the trend really takes off, could be one that doesn't stay there. There have been a few celebrities who have followed it, which could have an impact.

Adam is more classic but could be classed as 'dull' or 'safe' depending on your view point. Its unlikely to ever go completely out of fashion or have quite the same level of class associations and potential problems.

The real question is more about how much YOU like it though and whether indeed you are picking it to be deliberately different - like a lot of other people.

My simple answer is really, if you like it, go for it and stop worrying about everything and everyone else.

[haleandhearty]

Don't know any Arlos.

Oscar crazily popular, but a lovely name!

Only know one Adam- as someone said above, gently declining in popularity

[shitebag]

To be honest I'd take any official UK stats with a pinch of salt, different areas seem to have their own little groups of popular names so what they say may be popular may be completely unheard of where you are and names always go in/out of fashion anyway.

I love Arlo, have never met one! I suggested it for DC2 but it sounded horrendous in our Glaswegian accents :o

There are lots of young Oscar's here but I don't think I've came across any Adam's under 16.

[Socalled]

Lots of baby Arlos around here. In this neck if the woods at least, it's very modish, and 'now'. Tbh, it's a slight relief from all the Georges and Louises.

[LumpyCustard69]

Thank you

Well, this little one won't be trying to be middle class so I don't need to worry about that.
If I choose Adam or Arlo, they will be followed by James or Joseph to make it possible to become AJ if they wish later on in life.
I like Oscar because it can be shortened. I'm keen on names that can be adjusted to suit.
I have a friend in Australia that has an Arlo, first one I'd heard of, so I don't know any over here (yet). But when I named my dd I had no idea how popular her name was, so just trying to get an idea.
There are just so few boy's names I like!!!!!

[VT82]

I don't know any Arlo's in real life, despite the popularity on Mumsnet.

I can't take it seriously as a name ever since I jokingly used it as a nickname for my friend ChARLOtte to be distinct from all the people who call her Char, Charl or Lottie.

[swooosh]

A nice name but not one to choose if you live anywhere near Harlow (pronounced Arlo round these parts) which is errr....not the nicest of towns

[GatoradeMeBitch]

According to the Daily Mail, someone from TOWIE has just named her baby Arlo. That's the first time I've heard the name attached to a baby. (I only know a 50 year old Arlo).

[bluewisteria]

I know four Arlo's, all under 5. All named him after Arlo Guthrie, all the parents are left wing, pretty middle class, arty but not way out types. If that helps at all!
I think it is a brilliant name, strong, great namesake. I probably wouldn't use it if I didn't love the music though.

[LumpyCustard69]

I don't know anything about anyone from TOWIE. And I NEVER read the Daily Mail. Might avoid it just for that reason though!!!!!!

[FinnJuhl]

Yes, given to child of not only Towie cast member but also a Premier League footballer. Arlo's brief period in the Mumsnet sun is officially over.

I love Adam though.

[unluckycat]

Arlo is definitely a now name. I'd say boys names ending with o are a current and rising thing, Hugo, Theo, Otto etc

having accidentally used a now name with my first I'd recommend against it tbh.

[ArgentinianMalbec]

No! There is a shitty town in Essex called Harlow (pronounced arlo by the chavs locals) please don't do it!