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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Thoughts on Arvo?

114 replies

GinnyBee · 03/04/2022 16:37

I'm due to have a baby boy in May, first baby for both of us. I'm originally Finnish and my husband is English and when we started listing names we liked, we were trying to find one that would hint at his Nordic heritage but wouldn't be too out of place or impossible to spell or pronounce in England since that's where we live.

We couldn't find many options that we both liked and settled on Arlo - nice name, but there's really nothing Finnish about it. Its origins are Anglo-Saxon or Old English.

I've just been out for a walk with my dog and remembered the name Arvo, which is completely Finnish, and thought maybe that could work? But before I suggest it to hubby I wanted some opinions as I don't always hear it if it sounds odd in English, since to me it's just a normal name, but native English speakers may find it sounds like another word that would be confusing.

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RuthW · 03/04/2022 17:38

It's slang for afternoon

TheAbbotOfUnreason · 03/04/2022 17:34

Would Aro work?

Plenty of people will also know Finnish names like Juha, Ari, Mika, Harri, Mikko, Timo, Tommi, Hannu etc from motor sports.

Snoken · 03/04/2022 17:32

I came here to suggest Alvar. I think that is a much nicer name. I also like Arlo, but as you say, there is nothing Finnish about it. I also like Matti, but that is probably because I had a boyfriend named Matti when I was in school and it might be terribly unfashionable in Finland now.

TabithaTittlemouse · 03/04/2022 17:31

I really like it.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 03/04/2022 17:31

Too similar to Avro- defunct energy company

FrankLeeSpeaking · 03/04/2022 17:29

@Bunnyfuller

No. It’s not a name
Only, clearly, in Finland it is.
FrankLeeSpeaking · 03/04/2022 17:29

I have heard people say "This arvo" but not many.
On second reflection, I think it's a nice name. Use it if you like it. Most people wouldn't think anything of it.

SpaghettiNotCourgetti · 03/04/2022 17:24

@Bunnyfuller

No. It’s not a name
Well, it is... People are named it. It's a name.

Joining the Arvo Pärt gang. I ran into him, once, at the Cheltenham Music Festival. He looked a bit Dumbledoreish and seemed a very happy, pleasant man.

MyHusbandTheIdiot · 03/04/2022 17:21

@Bunnyfuller

No. It’s not a name
Are you joking? Have you read the OP, in which it states that it’s a perfectly legitimate Finnish name, potentially being given to a baby of Finnish heritage?

Christ, the xenophobia is strong in this one…

Cas112 · 03/04/2022 17:21

No sorry, It's what Australians use to shorten the word afternoon.

Bunnyfuller · 03/04/2022 17:19

No. It’s not a name

Original poster
GinnyBee · 03/04/2022 17:17

@scottishnames I'm not sure if Alvar was on the list even, and I'm not sure why! I know another Finnish mum here in UK who named her son Alvar so maybe that's why, but I haven't spoken to her for a couple of years since we moved out of London.

I'll suggest both and see what husband says.

OP posts:
D0lphine · 03/04/2022 17:14

Hideous.

Shortened version of afternoon. Defo used internet the UK.

scottishnames · 03/04/2022 17:11

I think it's good - great to have a link to heritage, and also reminds me of the composer. I'd say 'go for it'.
This may not be appropriate - please excuse me if not - but when I think of Finland I think of the great architect, Alvar Aalto. Would Alvar be an alternative, perhaps? Also very easy to say and spell in English.

Lio · 03/04/2022 17:05

And I thought of Arvo Part too, which is a good thing

Babadook76 · 03/04/2022 17:01

It immediately made me think of parvo virus 🤷🏼‍♀️

Kite22 · 03/04/2022 17:00

I think it is nice.
It reflects your Finnish heritage, which is particularly nice if he is to grow up in the UK. However, it is easy to spell and easy to say if you see it written down, so makes it easy for all of us that aren't linguistics students and means he won't be correcting people all the time or constantly having it spelled wrong Smile

celestebellman · 03/04/2022 16:58

I like it. Also thought of Arvo Part. Makes a nice change from Arlo , and nice that it reflects his cultural heritage.

AnxiousHeffalump · 03/04/2022 16:55

Arvo is not great, to be honest. Neither is Arlo.

ConkerBonkers · 03/04/2022 16:54

Makes me think of ASBO. Sorry.

Riverlee · 03/04/2022 16:54

My first thought was that it was the name of an energy company (that has now gone bust).

ThatsGoingToHurt · 03/04/2022 16:53

I thought Arvada was an energy company (I could be imagining this)

TalesOfDrunkennessAndCruelty · 03/04/2022 16:52

Musician friends were considering the name Arvo, but opted for Arlo.

Greensleeves · 03/04/2022 16:51

Makes me think of DARVO

Echobelly · 03/04/2022 16:50

Makes me think of excellent Estonian composer Arvo Pärt - a good person to be named after!