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Baby names

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

Arlo a trend/fad name?

60 replies

March26 · 10/12/2025 19:45

We love arlo for our baby boy but concerned with its sudden surge and that it will be a ‘cringe’ fad name. Others on our list are Arthur Maxwell and James so very different ‘classics’ but we don’t currently love them as much! Please help we want him to love his name. We’d also need to find a nickname we like for arlo middle name will be Jacob for sure. Uk based.

OP posts:
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BuffaloCauliflower · 10/12/2025 19:48

Boy names ending in o’s have been popular for about 8 years? Not any more faddy than most other names that go in and out of style in cycles (which I’d include Arthur in actually, they’re all under 14 or older 70) if you like it use it. Maybe it will mark his age but most names do.

TheCurious0range · 10/12/2025 19:50

It reminds me of the lion who couldn't sleep.
It's cute but I don't think it's suits an adult

CreepingCrone · 10/12/2025 20:09

My neighbour's boy is Arlo (in a Yorkshire accent!), and I know 3 people with dogs called Arlo..

user593 · 10/12/2025 20:12

I think it is better suited to pets than people. I love James though.

hopelesslyromantic93 · 10/12/2025 20:13

My dog is called Arlo! So biased but I think it suits pets more than humans

March26 · 10/12/2025 20:15

Thank you, very true!

OP posts:
ViolaPlains · 10/12/2025 20:17

Judging by some discussions I’ve seen, I don’t think Arlo’s very popular on here. But it’s your child so it’s your opinion that counts.

I don’t think it’s a recent fad as my Arlo is 10.

EmmaOvary · 10/12/2025 20:18

I have an Arlo. I love it. Yes, it may well be one of the names of his generation, but so many are.

CamillaMcCauley · 10/12/2025 20:20

I was considering Arlo for my first 13 years ago, but then one of my best friends used it so I went with something else. So no, I don’t think it’s a fad unless me and my friend group are incredibly ahead of the trends entirely possible.

EchoedSilence · 10/12/2025 20:20

I know 3 boys called Arlo. I like it. But I'm not keen on classic names like James or Arthur like most of MN

mathanxiety · 10/12/2025 20:24

I think Arlo is indeed a name that will date.

Your alternatives all have sticking power.

Moreteaandchocolate · 10/12/2025 22:15

I don’t think it matters if it goes out of fashion - most names do (we can’t all be called the same few timeless classics or the world would be over run with James's and Elizabeth’s!) I’d pick Arlo if it’s the name you love

NuffSaidSam · 10/12/2025 22:20

Arlo is definitely a current/trendy name so will probably date a bit, but I'm not sure that matters if you love it.

I'm not sure why you need to think up a nickname though? If you love Arlo so much, call him Arlo! Otherwise what's the point. Something like Pumpkin or Chopsy or Smoosh will come about naturally when he's a baby, nothing that needs to be pre-decided.

alexdgr8 · 10/12/2025 22:22

No.
Sounds like a dairy brand

Allthegoodhorses · 10/12/2025 22:22

isnt it a brand of milk?

alexdgr8 · 10/12/2025 22:23

No.
Sounds like a dairy brand.
? Irish butter ?

HoppityBun · 10/12/2025 22:25

alexdgr8 · 10/12/2025 22:23

No.
Sounds like a dairy brand.
? Irish butter ?

Arla do dairy products and Alpro do non dairy plant milks

Perhaps they’d sponsor an infant with their name?

ResusciAnnie · 10/12/2025 22:29

It’s already dated IMO. You’re 5 years too late if you want it to feel fresh, a generation too early if you want it to feel classic. Love Maxwell!

cariadlet · 10/12/2025 22:29

I think that Arlo is a nice name but one that will date. It seems to be rising in popularity but I imagine that at some point, it will peak and then start to decline.

Many names end up being associated with a particular generation. Objectively, that's neither a good nor a bad thing; it's just personal preference whether or not you mind that.

soontobeamama · 10/12/2025 22:35

It seems to be more common for dogs nowadays. I don’t know what nickname you would have for it, as it is quite a short name already.

James is definitely a much better choice.

Pettenell · 10/12/2025 23:35

Arlo already seems dated to me. So, yes, from my point of view, a faddish name. I much prefer all your other names.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 10/12/2025 23:44

Yeah, tis a faddy name sorry

Arthur (which I love) has been done to death lately and James is just generally overused

If this bothers you these aren't for you

Maybe..

Arnold/Arnie
Alistair
Atticus
Laurence/Laurie
Francis
Jacob
Hugo
Jonathan

mylittledoggie · 10/12/2025 23:46

I would hand called my kids Piper and Arlo if I had been brave. They are called Elizabeth and Jasper.

SheSpeaks · 10/12/2025 23:50

I started meeting baby Arlos when my oldest was a baby and they are now adults.

I know 2 who are young adults from the time it was outside the top 300, so still pretty popular hence knowing 2 but not one in every class popular.

now it’s a top 20 name so it will likely date yes and there is a high chance of knowing others. No problem if that doesn’t bother you

VikaOlson · 10/12/2025 23:55

Arlo's gone from 0 babies 30 years ago to 20 babies 20 years ago to 600 babies 10 years ago to 2000+ a year. It's gone from basically not being a name to being top 10 - I think it will fall off again soon and be very much a 'Darren' of it's time.

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