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Baby names

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

Original poster

Harlow for a boy

49 replies

Ladypug · 30/05/2015 18:30

Firstly is Harlow ok for a boy or too feminine? Secondly we're close to a Harley - is it too similar?

OP posts:
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VikingVolva · 30/05/2015 18:32

Harlow is a town in Essex. Not remotely feminine.

It also sounds like Hyacinth Bucket meets Arlo.

mindexplode · 30/05/2015 18:38

have you ever been to Harlow? its not a name I would associate with a child as its a concrete town

alternatives are Hatfield, bracknell and Basingstoke

turdfairynomore · 30/05/2015 18:44

It reminds me of the Jean Harlow/margot asquitth row-the t is silent, as in Harlow!

EmmaGellerGreen · 30/05/2015 18:46

Harlow is a unpleasant town.

blueistheonlycolourwefeel · 30/05/2015 18:46

I know an Arlow?

SeaMedows · 30/05/2015 18:47

It's not just a town in Essex - Harlow Carr is a wonderful RHS Garden in Yorkshire.

I actually think its a really nice name for a boy. Arlow's good too.

Mitzi50 · 30/05/2015 18:52

Harlow is an unattractive town with more than its fair share of roundabouts.

You could try Milton (as in Keynes).

IMO it's not a great name for a beautiful baby.

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 30/05/2015 18:55

Its not only not great, its bloody awful. There are so many lovely names to choose from, why choose the name of a scabby town??

Mitzi50 · 30/05/2015 18:56

I do like Arlo though

IrenetheQuaint · 30/05/2015 18:57

If you had a DD next you could call her Sawbridgeworth

Arlo is fine.

FoxSticks · 30/05/2015 19:01

Sawbo at least is a classy town. Harlow definitely isn't. I think if you'd ever been you wouldn't want to call your child that name.

RumAppleGinger · 30/05/2015 19:01

I really like it but DH veto'd it for all the reasons above.

Original poster
Ladypug · 30/05/2015 19:03

Sorry I didn't know it was a place, I just wondered

OP posts:
TheBeagleHasLanded · 30/05/2015 19:09

To me Arlo just makes it sound as if you dropped the "H" in Harlow.

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 30/05/2015 19:10

Now that you know OP, have you changed your mind?

SoupDragon · 30/05/2015 19:11

As someone else said, what about Arlo? That's a boy's name rather than a place.

BathshebaDarkstone · 30/05/2015 19:13

I immediately thought of Harlow in Essex too and so did DH.

tictactoad · 30/05/2015 19:13

Harlow with a silent T was my first reaction too.

SylvaniansAtEase · 30/05/2015 19:28

Oh OP no.

How about:

Heath
Harris(on)
Harry

Arlo
Leon
Otis
Rory

Original poster
Ladypug · 30/05/2015 19:52

I'm not set on it, I just heard it and thought "ooh wonder if that's too feminine?" Haven't really started looking properly yet although not sure I'm brave enough to share any more!

OP posts:
MamaLazarou · 30/05/2015 21:43

Oh, bless you, OP! We are extremely forthright in this folder.

Arlo is lovely.

MamaLazarou · 30/05/2015 21:43

Ooh, how about Marlow?

Original poster
Ladypug · 30/05/2015 21:51

Thanks Mama, I will learn! I love Marlow, thank you :-)

OP posts:
mindexplode · 31/05/2015 07:39

Marlow is a town on the Thames in bucks, a much nicer town then Harlow but still the name of a town

AuntieStella · 31/05/2015 08:28

Marlowe however is the surname of a brilliant spy/playwright. I don't like surname names much, but think that one's lovely.