Is Arlo too popular?

[EmiliaGeorge]

We had written off Arlo as an option for a baby name early on. The main reason for this is my sister in law has always loved the name, and she was also pregnant with a baby boy when we fell pregnant - so we assumed she would use the name. They have recently had their little boy and did not use the name.

The other reason we did not consider it is because of its popularity. I know it’s risen steeply and it’s now in the top 20 (England). Our daughter has a name which isn’t very common but also not unheard of, it’s between 200 and 250 in popularity.

My husband has recently told me that Arlo is probably his favourite boy name. My favourite boy name is fairly similar to Arlo, it could possibly be used as a nickname, but it is considerably less popular (not in the top 500). My husband says he doesn’t mind my favourite name, but definitely seems hesitant when he talks about it. He’s also expressed that he feels like it’s not a real name. I’m not sharing it because it’s not really relevant to what I am asking, so I don’t want opinions on that instead. I don’t hate the name Arlo so I am considering whether to just agree to Arlo, but I am concerned about the popularity.

How many Arlo’s do you know? Do you think he would grow up and get sick of being one of many Arlo’s at school/work etc?

Also, we had originally planned to use the middle name James as it is a family name. If I were to agree to Arlo I would not want to use the middle name James, I don’t like the nickname AJ and I think it’s two very popular names together. Do you have any suggestions for a more unique middle name?

I don't know any Arlos

@EmiliaGeorge names outside the top 200 aren’t unusual names though, I know it’s your DH saying they aren’t real names, not you, but I’m not sure that argument holds up if you actually look at the names!

Names outside the top 200 - Francis, Marcus, Leonard, Victor, Nicolas, Peter, Julian, Damian, Jonathan, Bradley, Richard, Bruno. Fair enough if you don’t /like/ them, but to say they are not real names is odd to my ear.

You can find real names all the way along. There are names well all have heard of way outside the top 2500 (Cuthbert, Roderick, Wallace, Clarence, Cecil, Cyril)

It’s not like these are crazy hippy made up names or shortenings.

It's definitely on the rise - I know a few baby and pre school Arlos and there is one in dd11's class so not just younger ones. Popular pets name too

Our horse is called Arlo 😆

I have a teenage Arlo and he was the only one I knew for a long time.

At our primary school now there is a class with Arlos who are also identified by first letter of surname, so I think it's probably become a lot more popular.

Every other Arlo will be Arlo James.
The name Arlo is very popular and rising in popularity, so for a 2024 baby, I'd expect it to be even more popular.

Figures for England & Wales 2022:

Rank Name Count Change in Rank Since 2021 Change in Rank Since 2012
1 Noah 4,586 0 13
2 Muhammad 4,177 3 17
3 George 3,699 0 9
4 Oliver 3,691 -2 -2
5 Leo 3,610 1 15
6 Arthur 3,603 -2 46
7 Oscar 2,883 1 10
8 Theodore 2,835 3 89
9 Theo 2,808 6 35
10 Freddie 2,760 2 28
11 Archie 2,684 -2 12
12 Luca 2,625 16 49
13 Henry 2,624 -3 11
14 Jack 2,431 -1 -11
15 Harry 2,403 -8 -14
16 Charlie 2,391 -2 -12
17 Alfie 2,304 -1 -10
18 Arlo 2,176 2 229 - new entry to top 100
19 Thomas 2,101 -1 -13
20 Teddy 2,030 6 121 - new entry to top 100

Edited as an asterisk made the formatting funny

It’s a nice name but I know a lot. Out of my baby group of approx 10 there were 4 Arlos! You’d be pretty unlucky to get those odds though so if you love it then use it. I think Arlo James is lovely and wouldn’t think about the AJ nn. If not Arlo, Jago has a similar feel but is less popular.

The big jump in popularity recently might suggest that it might be a bit faddy.

Yes def, loads of mums at the school with babies called Arlo, and lots that started reception this year.

Im baffled by it's current popularity. It's barely a name imo. Will date terribly.

Have never taught an Arlo but I think that's because it's only become really popular since about 2018 (current Y1). I know a good number of pre-school children named Arlo. Agree it will be a name that accurately ages a person in a few years.

Or Carlow if you're Irish 😆

I actually know an Arlo from Carlow. A

Agree completely with your post and pp's re dating as a name. I would love to know what the supposed non-name is!

So the five Toms in a class effect should be less of a concern these days, as parents are picking from an increasingly wide pool of names.

It still happens. You can get something like 3 Olivias in a class, or a class with Isla, Lila, and Myla.

At the park yesterday, heard a mum calling her son and he was an Arlo. First one I've met funnily enough. My children are older though.

Galon is coming to mind as an alternative. It means peace/calm, which is a nice quality to have.

I don’t know any - and I work in a primary school.

BUT I live quite near Harlow so that probably rules it out for everyone round here!

This list is 90% mental

Just show him this thread and say “look AJ, we definitely didn’t just pick your name because it was first on the list, we got as far as the top 20!”

Um, it's an imaginative list.
Is Eliant a name?
How do you say Dwyn?

I have an Arlo James (4) and there are two other Arlo's at his nursery (Warwickshire area)

Definitely noticing it's gaining popularity but not too fussed 😂

Other option was Arlo Jude.

It’s a lovely name, OP. I don’t think it’s so popular that it’s likely to age like Gary, ie have a swift descent. It will probably be more like Andrew or Simon for men of my generation - common for middle aged men, but not laughably dated.

i would love to hear the names of all the dc of those who are against it on the grounds of ‘try hard’ or ‘chavvy’ names. I bet all your children are called Olivia and Charles and you call for them in a falsetto at the playground whilst drinking a latte and wearing a gillet.

It’s very popular where I live….for dogs! Arlo for me will always be an over excitable Jack Russell who occasionally tries to piss up my leg 🤦‍♀️

Seemed to be a rapid peak and decline. At groups with my 4 yo I met a lot of Arlos. I’ve not met a single one with my 10 month old. FWIW I think it’s a lovely name.

Cat's name territory.
Arlo is the neighbour's cat in Bing.

Apologies on the Rolf H comment, I had no idea he was as bad as that. I seem to have missed out on that conviction and details completely (not in the UK).

I know 6...all between the ages of 18 months and 6-ish (it's a fairly recent name to start hitting the streets I think, and has started to become very popular).

Personally, I really, really dislike it - to my ears it sounds a bit wet (kind of the Timothy or Malcolm of the 21st century). But we all have different tastes, and the only thing that matters here is whether you like it...which you do...so go for it!