Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

I love Arlo - is it too popular?

64 replies

PoppyH56 · 22/08/2017 22:40

I love the name Arlo but my OH is saying it's becoming too popular. What do we all think? I have 2 weeks left to decide and this is the only one sticking in my mind!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Mrscropley · 22/08/2017 22:42

Awful name for our area - local town nn is Darlo but they still use it!!

theothersideoftheworld · 22/08/2017 22:43

Isn't that the name of the dinosaur from 'the good dinosaur '?

SuburbanRhonda · 22/08/2017 22:45

If you both like it, use it.

Since you can't agree, use another name. There are plenty as nice and nicer than Arlo.

strawberrypenguin · 22/08/2017 22:46

I've never met one!

ProseccoPoppy · 22/08/2017 22:46

That's literally the first time I have ever heard of that as a name. For a boy? Are you/DH sure it's popular? I don't love it, can't quite place why (unfamiliarity perhaps?) but I can't see that "popularity" comes into it!

ineedamoreadultieradult · 22/08/2017 22:48

I like the name Arlo, I'm not sure where you get the idea it's popular though. The only one I know is an owl.

Twistandshout77 · 22/08/2017 22:48

I do know two. But if you love it then use it.

RightOnTheEdge · 22/08/2017 22:50

I don't know any in real life and I work in a school.
I've heard of Arlo in The Good Dinosaur and I think one of Constance Hall's DC is an Arlo?

BewareOfTheToddler · 22/08/2017 22:53

I know one, know of a second, and know a third with Arlo as a middle name. All aged two or under in SE England or London. So I don't think it's that popular but nor is it obscure.

Personally, I'm not keen as, to my ears. it sounds like a Northern version of Harlow (I'm from the North Grin). But to each their own.

Are there any other names either of you like?

Sophronia · 22/08/2017 22:54

It's not overly popular, it was ranked #102 in 2015. I think it will have increased in popularity since then though.

DramaAlpaca · 22/08/2017 22:55

I've never come across one so I don't think it's particularly popular.

Enidblyton1 · 22/08/2017 23:00

There aren't very many at the moment (despite what you read on Mumsnet) so at least if it really takes off he'll be one of the earlier ones.
I would just use it if you like it.

Celticlassie · 22/08/2017 23:00

I love it, (DH didn't!) but know 2 born within the last couple of months. Reckon it'll date quickly.

Original poster
PoppyH56 · 22/08/2017 23:01

I think because Andy Carroll has named his son Arlo and I follow his gf on instagram I may be noticing it more as I see her post about him. I also typed the name into mumsnet and have seen many a post discussing the name, saying they want it. Also a friend of a friend had used it and it's been suggested to us a few times which is why I may think it's popular. Our other options are Teddy and Arthur at the moment.

OP posts:
Circumlocutor · 22/08/2017 23:03

If it's the name you both love surely that's that? What if you picked a rarer name that then became super popular in five years time. You'd be pissed off.

SasBel · 22/08/2017 23:05

Aromatically Refined Linseed Oil? Never heard of it as a boys name!

Original poster
PoppyH56 · 22/08/2017 23:06

I think maybe the reason I'm hesitant is I grew up with a HUGELY popular name (not the same as my username) and always had at least one other person in my class with the same name. Now at work I have 3 others with the same name also and I really do find it irritating. Simply for the fact I look up from my desk about 50 times a day thinking I'm being called when in fact they wanted the other one. 😒 so much so, I'm now called my surname by a lot of people so I just don't want my child to feel the same way about their name! Thank you for all your responses. We will have a think Smile

OP posts:
ShapelyBingoWing · 22/08/2017 23:06

Isn't Arlo the cat from Bing? I actually like it but wouldn't be able to get the association out of my head. I think of it every time I hear it as it is getting quite popular.

Circumlocutor · 22/08/2017 23:15

Arlo is trendy but I don't think it will ever be hugely popular on the scale of Harry or Oliver.

Jennypug · 22/08/2017 23:22

We called our cat Arlo, my son chose it because of the cat in Bing.

Amee1992x · 22/08/2017 23:25

Live in Scotland, don't know any just a little ginger chihuahua! Like the name for a boy though

MyOtherProfile · 22/08/2017 23:25

Love Arlo. Never met any and I'm an advisory teacher working in lots of schools. I don't know who Andy whoever is and the only two Arlos I've ever heard of are the sons of Woody Guthrie and Lee Mack!

SuperBeagle · 22/08/2017 23:33

Popular where I am. Typically used by "hipster" types. Very trendy.

MissFitton · 22/08/2017 23:44

I have one. He's eight. Have not come across another one around here although I hear on MN that it's the new Jake/Jack. Hmm

Best idea is to go with something you love. as long as it doesn't have a yoonique spelling

Fernanie · 22/08/2017 23:47

I love it, mostly because of the singer Arlo Guthrie. I only know one other IRL - think it's sort of underused tbh.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.