Message: "Arlo" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Arlo

by Tisiphone

9/26/2016, 4:25 AM

So Arlo has appeared from nowhere....two people I know have given this name to a son in the past 6 months. To me, its a nothing of a name, with no meaning and not a particularly distinctive sound, so I wonder why it's become so popular.

What do you think?

http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/167578

#Arlo

Replies

- Alda +1

9/27/2016, 10:46 AM

Not surprising to see after Milo, Leo, &c. which have been so popular lately.

I have a positive association with it because I like Arlo Guthrie, but I wouldn't name a kid after him. Also, the American "ARE" sound is not my favorite.

- Tisiphone

9/27/2016, 12:38 PM

I like him too :-)

- Jasmine (silly_rabbit)

9/27/2016, 12:43 AM

I've liked it for some time now (also like Arla too). It's laidback but just sounds cool I guess, for lack of a better way to describe it. I've had the same impression of similar-sounding names like Harlow and Margot.

This message was edited 9/27/2016, 12:43 AM

- Xeno (sponinsanity)

9/26/2016, 4:08 PM

I totally agree with you. It doesn't have an appealing sound, and I usually don't like names that don't have meanings (with some exceptions if the name has a particularly nice sound, but...). I've noticed Arlo becoming quite a trend recently and I honestly don't understand it at all. The Good Dinosaur made me like it even less. I could see parents who want a hipster-y name liking this, but I think there are so many more appealing names that have that same hipster feel to them. I can't picture Arlo on anyone over toddler age.

- Bex

9/26/2016, 3:36 PM

It's becoming very popular in Australia, I think I know of about 4 or 5 babies named Arlo!

- Isabel (aussiechic04)

9/26/2016, 2:50 PM

Nice name for a dog

Trendy sound/look. Short, meaningless, "unique".

- NobodyOfConsequence

9/26/2016, 12:05 PM

I think the -o ending makes it spunky and kind of trendy but it's simpler to spell than Marlowe or some if the others. I kinda like it =)

- Llewella (penguiny7)

9/26/2016, 9:13 AM

I think it really embodies the crunchy hipster vibe for a little boy. I haven't encountered any in real life, but that's the impression I get. I do know a little Arland which definitely fits the bill, and have heard of a young Arlen, and they're similar in sound at least. I prefer Arlo to either of those, I think it has a peppier thing going on.

- queenv

9/26/2016, 7:58 AM

Looks like it's starting to rocket up the charts.

I basically agree with you. And it makes me think of a scruffy hippie-type, because of Arlo Guthrie.

- Joiya

9/26/2016, 6:34 AM

The Good Dinosaur (recent animated movie) was named Arlo.

My daughter now loves the name.

The movies didn't do too well, so I didn't think it would spike usage. But, it does bring a gem to the front of people's minds so maybe we will see more of it?!

I recently discovered how much I like Arla (thanks to the TV show "Haven" which I watched on Netflix).

Arlo is just a simple sweet choice for a boy. It's like Milly on a girl.

- Pie

9/26/2016, 5:47 AM

I think two-syllable names with emphasis on the first syllable are just sounds people like right now, for some reason, and -o endings are also generally increasing: Theo, Leo, Hugo and a while back there was a similar mini-epidemic of Milos where I live. This is a new one so clearly it is kewler! - and also apparently a main character in a Disney film.
It is a bit empty and trendoid, but it's fairly inoffensive.

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