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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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Original poster
GinnyBee · 03/04/2022 16:49

Thanks everyone! I'll have another ponder. Just happens that we've booked 3rd July for his naming ceremony and it's Arvo's name day in the Finnish calendar 🙃 But it may not work too well in the UK, and I wouldn't want to burden him with a silly name or something he always has to spell out like I have to with mine.

OP posts:
piglet81 · 03/04/2022 16:45

Makes me think of the composer Arvo Part, but that’s a bit niche. I like the name but I think confusion with Arlo is likely…

discodannie · 03/04/2022 16:45

I'm in the Uk and it's definitely used as an abbreviation of afternoon here (west country)

LubaLuca · 03/04/2022 16:44

I think it won't work so well in Britain.

I know a Finnish Albert. That works just about everywhere.

daisyjgrey · 03/04/2022 16:42

I didn't realise the topic was baby names when I saw the thread title and thought that you were asking on my thoughts about the word 'arvo', as in short for afternoon. Make of that what you will 😬

axolotlfloof · 03/04/2022 16:42

I prefer Arlo.

FoldedCard · 03/04/2022 16:41

I think it would be a nice name too. Might think 'Oh, like afternoon' the first time but after that would just be his name.

toastofthetown · 03/04/2022 16:40

It's a shortening of afternoon in Australia. Not a huge fan as a name.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 03/04/2022 16:40

I think it's fine. In Australia, Arvo is slang for afternoon but not in the UK as far as I know. And it wouldn't matter anyway. I think it would be a nice name.

Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 03/04/2022 16:40

Near me is a roundabout called Avro Anson roundabout...

SuperbOwls · 03/04/2022 16:40

It's nice as a name, but people do often use Arvo as a short word for the afternoon. This may bother you or it may not!

Dearmariacountmein · 03/04/2022 16:40

I was going to say the same. Arvo is short for Afternoon in part of the uk

Original poster
GinnyBee · 03/04/2022 16:39

@Winterfellismyhome

It sounds like a shortening of "afternoon"
Is that used in the UK much? I know it definitely is in Australia.

But good point.

OP posts:
Winterfellismyhome · 03/04/2022 16:38

It sounds like a shortening of "afternoon"