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Baby names

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

Original poster

Arlo

35 replies

allthingsbeachinspired · 29/12/2023 09:29

This name just popped up, what are your thoughts on the name Arlo?
Apparently it is Spanish, but also read it can be used for either gender.
Thanks.

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Samzzz · 30/12/2023 22:23

Ridiculously popular, will date badly. It’s a nice sounding soft name, but so many other names out there with a similar vibe…

Shiloh
Asher
Asa
Romy
Ira
Shay
Aubrey
James

janfebmarchapril · 29/12/2023 16:57

I know tons who are about 4... it's okay

MaloneMeadow · 29/12/2023 16:45

Absolutely hate it - seems so clunky and cheap to me

MerryChristmasToYou · 29/12/2023 14:04

It's got a darkgreener entry as a girl's name, so somebody must have used it. About baby girls in a year.

Comedycook · 29/12/2023 13:58

Really dislike it. It's a flash in the pan...will date terribly and in a few years time no one will be using it

theduchessofspork · 29/12/2023 13:52

It’s very popular for boys.

Never used in this country for girls, as far as I know

Ivo is a more unusual alternative

MerryChristmasToYou · 29/12/2023 13:12

Nothingy and extremely popular

Robinlight · 29/12/2023 13:02

I loved it about 5 years ago and considered calling one of my ds’s it. Now very glad I didn’t as it is super trendy and will likely date very badly! If that doesn’t worry you it does have a nice sound to it I think.

Saisong · 29/12/2023 10:44

I have a friend with one who is 17, it was very unheard of back then. I wonder what he makes of its sudden rise to popularity. I guess it means he'll be able to get named 'stuff' now <ironic>

StoatofDisarray · 29/12/2023 10:30

I like it!

LadyGAgain · 29/12/2023 10:14

I'm from an area where dropping a 'H' at the start of a word is really common so Arlo to me is 'Harlow' Grin

modgepodge · 29/12/2023 10:11

Agree it’s not unusual at all, very popular name. I’ve only ever heard it used for boys, except the singer Arlo Parks who is female.

BoleynMemories13 · 29/12/2023 10:07

Anewuser · 29/12/2023 09:49

If you like it op, you use it.

I get really annoyed when I hear how popular a name is, so people don’t like it.

For the last four years, I’ve had 3 Georges in my class and 3 Lilly/Lily/Lillies, yet those name never seem unpopular.

I'm never one to rule a name out on popularity alone. Most of my favourite names are popular, because they are traditional classics.

There are two types of popular though:-

Classic - Have been popular for years across the generations and therefore don't date. George is definitely in this category. Lily is an old classic which has made a big comeback in the last 20 years or so and shows no sign of dwindling yet, so feels up there in terms of classic status too (although spelling it Lillie, Lili etc does lean it towards the trendy category, those spellings will date).

Trendy - Of the moment names which gain popularity out of nowhere, with no history of ever being popular before. Largely due to featuring in popular culture or celebrities using them. These names tend to fall out of popularity just as quickly, and therefore date really quickly. I feel Arlo is in this category.

So I would never dismiss a name for being popular, but I would for being trendy. There's a big difference. Clearly not everyone will agree, otherwise names would never become trendy in the first place, but variety is what makes the world go around.

Nellle · 29/12/2023 10:04

I quite like it, but it's so popular now and I agree likely to date badly. Could be this decade's Darren.

Fancylike · 29/12/2023 10:02

It’s very trendy like others have said, popular with mummy bloggers doing a cutesy theme. Siblings are Indi, Finn, Milo, Tai, Bear, Bambi.

MalcolmTuckersDisdainfulSneer · 29/12/2023 09:56

I know everyone says it is everywhere, but I only know one. He is 8yo and I think they named him after Arlo Guthrie.

BoleynMemories13 · 29/12/2023 09:56

I'm not keen. It's a very of the moment, trendy 2020s name. It rocketed from nowhere into the top 100 around 2019/2020, then to the top 20 in 2021. 2022/2023 official data isn't available yet but certainly in my area at least it seems like a top 10 name right now. It's rapid rise is likely to see it date very quickly. Everyone will instantly know an Arlo was born within a 10 year period when he's older.

I say he as I've only ever known it to be a boy's name. The o ending makes it masculine. I've known the odd Arla (female) - awful imo as reminds me of milk but each to their own.

Redlarge · 29/12/2023 09:56

I can't stand it. It sounds like an abbreviated nickname.
Think something like 'stevo' or are kid.
It's horrid.

SEG152 · 29/12/2023 09:53

I work in childcare and it’s so over used. It also reminds me of the good dinosaur or a dogs name. Would a 20 year old man one day appreciate being called Arlo?

toomanyleggings · 29/12/2023 09:53

met a few lately. I think it’s a trendy name. I wouldn’t pick it for that reason

NewDogOwner · 29/12/2023 09:52

Cute but too common now. And, it never sounds professional. Judge Arlo ? Nah. Find a name that can be made into a cute nickname.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 29/12/2023 09:51

I quite like it. It just sneaked into the top 20 most popular boys' names of 2023 though, so if you're after something unusual, maybe not quite what you want.

2anddone · 29/12/2023 09:51

It's a no from me...mainly because my Disney obsessed friend called her son Arlo after the good dinosaur film, there are loads of Arlo's living round here and the ones I know are little shits so to me Arlo= naughty boy name!!

Anewuser · 29/12/2023 09:49

If you like it op, you use it.

I get really annoyed when I hear how popular a name is, so people don’t like it.

For the last four years, I’ve had 3 Georges in my class and 3 Lilly/Lily/Lillies, yet those name never seem unpopular.

NoraLuka · 29/12/2023 09:48

It looks unfinished to me, like it should be Arlow or Harlow or something. It also makes me think of cats and dogs even though I don’t know any pets called Arlo.