Arlo

[GarlicMartini]

Me and DH decided a number of years ago that we loved the name Arlo for a boy.

It's now rocketed in popularity and I'm wondering what your thoughts are on whether it's now too popular? I always thought I wouldn't be bothered about how popular a name is but now I'm not sure.

Also what are your thoughts on these girls names:
Alice
Phoebe
Freya
Erin

Any other boy or girl suggestions?

My name is Erin. I often get comments on how nice it is and how you don't hear it often. So maybe a bit bias but I do like it! I also like Freya. Love arlo but it is a bit over used!

Never ever met a boy called Erin either

I love Arlo but it's very popular which puts me off. From the girls list I only like Freya. Erin was very over done about 13 years ago so I feel it is dated already. Actually all of the girls names were popular 10+ years ago thinking about it.

I do love Erin! In my mind it's pretty but punchy as it's short and I quite like shorter first names with longer middle names.

I've never heard of a boy called Erin either, I just googled it and apparently it's sometimes used as a boys name in America as in an American accent it sounds the same as Aaron (air-on vs air-in). But that is based on a 30 second Google search so could be wrong!

@CeeceeBloomingdale hmm maybe I can be ahead of the curve of a revival of the names haha! I think Alice is already fairly popular though and I know a couple of people who have had phoebe's so I guess thats on the rise too. I knew freya was popular but feel it peaked a few years ago and is on the decline but that's purely based on people I know with kids and reading MN I dont know the stats off the top of my head!

We've got an Arlo security camera too

@GarlicMartini yes your hunch is correct according to official stats Freya’s numbers peaked nearly 10 years ago in 2010
It’s gradually declined since then. It’s a lovely name. I don’t know anyone with it

Ps. love Arlo - glad to read you are going to go with it if a boy.

Arlo is very fashionable at the moment so it might date somewhat. I love your girls names, I have an Alice who was very nearly Phoebe (Erin was also on the short list!).

@BigRedBoat Arlo is a very old English name, so it doesn't date .
People just tend to assume it's modern.

I've got an Arlo. Really struggled with liking a boy's name but as soon as I saw it I fell in love with it. It took some time to grow on DP... O hadn't come across the name at all and I work with children however since we've had him it seems everyone is called Arlo 🙄

If you love it I'd say use it 😊

It's one of those names that's risen very quickly, which a) often bugs people for some reason, so you often get negative reactions to that, and b) gives a false impression of its popularity. It's MUCH more common/popular now than it was five years ago. Much more! But still, it was at its most popular last year, when it was 36th in the country. So it's not like every other boy is going to be called Arlo. Nationwide, there are more Harrisons, Finleys and Logans, for example. And that's without even mentioning the REALLY popular names like Harry, George, Noah, Oliver, etc.

1 in every 192 boys was named Arlo last year. The number one name was Oliver, which was given to 1 in every 62 boys.

So yeah, the rapid rise IS an indicator that it could date badly, which would kind of suck. But at the same time, it IS a nice name! My kids love The Good Dinosaur too, so I have a soft spot for it!

I love Arlo as a name

@BadSun that’s very interesting stats. Is it definitely 1 in every 192/62 boys or is it 1 in every 192/62 children (girls and boys)?

At my nursery there are 2 Arlos and an Alice but no Freyas and erins. (They are ten years ago names. )

Arlo is too similar to arshole.
I hate the name Phoebe with a passion.
Freya and Alice are ok but overused.
Erin is quite nice.

Is it definitely 1 in every 192/62 boys or is it 1 in every 192/62 children (girls and boys)?

Boys. Already halved it ;)

Arlo is too similar to arshole
Erin is quite nice

If Arlo is too close to arsehole, Erin is too close to urine.

Isn’t Arlo a milk brand? 🤔

That’s interesting thank you for confirming @BadSun

Arlo is nice enough. I've never actually met one. It's obviously not popular in my neck of the woods.

All the girls' names are fine. Alice is my favourite.

Alice is lovely, and classic.
Arlo is trendy and will date.

Phoebe is my favourite of your girls’ names - I’ve only met one.

I’ve actually only met one Arlo but it does feel like a name which may become associated with a particular decade. But if you like it, use it!

Arlo is a cat on a children's programme Bing

I wouldn't use it

Again imagine your child in a professional workplace with that name.......

Not keen on Arlo.
Girl's names:
Alice - love
Phoebe - like a lot
Freya - overused and I don't like Frey, otherwise nice
Erin - very popular, not keen. Too many E names popular right now,

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted “Imagine your child in a professional workplace with that name...”

You do realise that’s Arlo is a top 50 name 🤣 you’re acting like it’s totally obscure. There’s going to be lawyers, bin men, doctors and office workers called Arlo in 20-30 years. It’s unavoidable. It’s top 50.