Thoughts on Arvo?

[GinnyBee]

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.

Kiitti @Leeloo1233 !

Meillä on jo suomenlapinkoira Otso, Edvin oli omalla listalla suosikkina mut miehelle ei kelvannut. Oskar olis kans kiva, mutta kaikkien mun tuntemien multikultturellien parien ensimmäinen poika on Oskar, niin tuntui vähän laiskalta 🙈

Me tykätään Arlosta sen verran, et pysytään varmaan siinä, tai sit joku tosi samanlainen. Vielä on viis viikkoa aikaa päättää!

Haha totta, Oscar ja myös Lucas ja Noah on kaikilla! Arlo on kiva ja toimii hyvin myös Suomessa :)

Awful....trying too hardo

Well there go my kidneys as my sides split

Arvo Cado.

I really like it! I know so many Arlos, I think this is much better.

I also say 'this arvo' for 'this afternoon' ( I am NE England) but that wouldn't put me off.

Also the name of a cool composer as mentioned by a pp

Definitely means ‘afternoon’ in many parts of the North West especially Liverpool.
“You coming out this arvo Bazzer?”

I really like it although it does make me think 'I'll have arvo pint of lager'

I like it. Arvo does mean afternoon to many (mostly posh) Brits but so what. You're Finnish and it's a Finnish name. It's not hard to say or pronounce in English.

I love Arvo too, but I’m of Finnish origin too so it doesn’t sound weird to me. My English husband gave it a flat no on the basis that others have mentioned. I totally agree with PP about it being so hard to find a Finnish name (especially boy’s) that works in English too. I absolutely love Onni as a PP has suggested, particularly for its meaning, and also love Alvar and Eino (which is a family name), but won’t tell you what my husband thinks they sound like sorry I realise I’m not helping! If I could choose alone, then I’d go for Onni or Ansel/ Anselmi, but We’ve opted to put a Finnish name in the middle as a compromise, and already had a few comments from those we’ve mentioned it to!

My first thought was Arvo Part the composer..

Thanks all! This has been really helpful :)

Immediately made me think of IKEA, without knowing you were Finnish. I think they did a chest of drawers or something called Arvo. Sorry, I much prefer Arlo.

What about Aro? Which is Finnish and only one letter off Arlo.

I really like it. There’ll be people that love or hate whatever name you chose so I think just pick one you love and forgot other people opinions