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Original poster

Marlo for a boy??

35 replies

Vespar7 · 02/07/2014 21:31

Hi,

I am due at the end of the month and having trouble deciding on a boy's name. DP is desparate for Luca but I really like Marlo. I have read that it can be used for a girl or a boy. I was just wondering if it is generally used as a name for a girl rather than a boy? I like loads of other names for boys but DP is completely stuck on Luca and Marlo seems to be the only other name that he is even slightly considering so I think my best chance is to fight for it! Thanks

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ChihuahuaChica · 07/10/2026 00:03

I actually really like Marlo (I cannot say the same for Arlo!).

KieraLockwood · 05/10/2026 14:05

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ButtercupYellow26 · 05/10/2026 10:33

Prefer Luca. Would spell your name Marlow.
Use both. One as middle name.

JoyousWriter · 25/09/2026 15:48

Sounds like the (misspelled) surname of an alcoholic detective.

Calliopespa · 21/09/2026 20:13

Vespar7 · 07/07/2014 20:37

I love Noah but I would rather something a bit more unusual. Strangely I don't really like Arlo even though I love Marlo. I'm wondering if I should just give in and let DP have Luca. But if I'm not 100% convinced will I regret it? It's so much easier with girls names!

I would! I much, much prefer Luca to Marlo.

Then you get to claim you gave in and can choose the next name!

Sparklinggreen · 21/09/2026 06:46

I like Luca, Marlo not so keen on.

localbutterfly · 20/09/2026 21:29

Historically I think Marlo/Marlowe/(various spellings) has been used for both boys and girls, similar to other names that originated as surnames or place names. But US entertainer/activist Marlo Thomas probably popularised it for girls in the 1960s and 1970s (although in her case her legal name is Margaret and apparently "Marlo" was originally a mispronunciation of "Margo", as her family called her as a child). The Marlo spelling specifically seems to be more common for girls than for boys in both the USA and UK now (for what it's worth - I'm not sure there are enough Swiss Marlos to get a sample!) but it's not common in any case.

Daphnedolittle2 · 20/09/2026 20:32

I like Marlo and I know a boy with this spelling. He was named after the magician Ed Marlo.

Mamma2twoboys · 13/09/2026 23:52

It's funny. It's like reading my own words, only 12 years earlier! I also want Marlo (with that spelling) as a name for my second boy. And also for some strange reason don't like Arlo! But hesitating mostly because of many comments like the ones you got here, confusion with the spelling, thinking it's a girl's name etc. But I'm so curious! What did you name him in the end!???

ComradePlexiglass · 07/07/2014 20:39

I know 2 boy Marlos and no girl ones. Good name.

Original poster
Vespar7 · 07/07/2014 20:37

I love Noah but I would rather something a bit more unusual. Strangely I don't really like Arlo even though I love Marlo. I'm wondering if I should just give in and let DP have Luca. But if I'm not 100% convinced will I regret it? It's so much easier with girls names!

OP posts:
Runlegsrun · 06/07/2014 22:36

Cuba
Noah
Jonah

Pangaea · 06/07/2014 22:35

I like Marlon as in Brando.

Runlegsrun · 06/07/2014 22:30

Milo Arlo mila miles ludo

burgatroyd · 05/07/2014 21:39

I LOVE it for a girl. Its also nice for a boy. Its unisex like Alex.

freerangeeggs · 05/07/2014 18:38

I think Marlo is a really cool name. I do prefer it for a girl but it's nice for a boy too. Marlowe is a bit pretentious.

Do you like Arlo or Milo? Luca is a very handsome name btw.

Oriunda · 05/07/2014 15:15

BIL is called Gianluca if that helps .... are you in Ticino? That would explain the Lucas eveywhere!

Milo v similar to Marlow and easy to pronounce.

Original poster
Vespar7 · 05/07/2014 12:58

Thanks for all the replies. We are living in Switzerland at the moment so I think if I spelt it Marlow people would pronounce it Marlov and I would have to keep correcting them. I do really like Luca but I feel as though everywhere I go recently I hear parents with children call Luca which puts me off. Any other ideas for names would be most welcome!

OP posts:
Caitmous · 03/07/2014 20:50

I really like it. But you know Marlo, with that spelling, is the evilest drug dealer in The Wire?

Yorkshirelassreturns · 03/07/2014 20:44

Not to my taste but if you go for it, spell it with a w at the end. Isn't Sienna Miller's daughter called Marlowe?

squoosh · 03/07/2014 10:30

I quite like it when spelt Marlowe.

Marlo looks silly though.

WanderingTrolley1 · 03/07/2014 06:50

Not over-enthralled.

Marlow makes me think of Milo from The Tweenies.

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 03/07/2014 06:49

I prefer Milo

Oriunda · 03/07/2014 06:43

I read it first as Mario mispelt, then Marlow mispelt, then finally an amalgamation of Arlo and Marlow.

Either way, not keen but if you go for Marlow spell it with the w. Luca is much nicer imho.

Greenandcabbagelooking · 02/07/2014 22:34

Or Arlo, which is also nice.

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