Arlo
Arlo Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈɑɹ.loʊ/
Meaning of Arlo: The name Arlo carries several possible etymologies. The most often cited derivation traces Arlo to the fictional place name Arlo Hill in Edmund Spenser's 1590 epic poem The Faerie Queene, where Spenser adapted the Irish Aherlow, a valley in County Tipperary.
The Irish eatharlach refers to a valley between two high places, giving Arlo the interpretive sense of "valley land."
A second etymology connects Arlo to the Anglo-Saxon elements earn, meaning "eagle," and hlaw, meaning "hill" or "mound," producing "eagle hill." A third reading treats Arlo as a variant of the Germanic Harlow or the Italian Carlo, though the Spenserian and Irish etymology holds the strongest scholarly support.
What Does Arlo Mean? Origin & Etymology
The etymology records classifies Arlo as an English name of uncertain etymology, likely drawn from Spenser's invented place name Arlo Hill, itself adapted from the Irish valley Aherlow. The name remained literary and rare until the twentieth century, when it entered wider English-speaking use.
Arlo reached American recognition through folk singer Arlo Guthrie, son of Woody Guthrie, whose eighteen-minute ballad Alice's Restaurant became an anti-war anthem after its 1967 release. The name gained broader American use during the 2000s as parents embraced short, vintage-feeling masculine names alongside Milo, Otto, and Leo.
Cultural associations include folk singer Arlo Guthrie, actor Arlo White, sportscaster Arlo Eisenberg, and characters across contemporary film and television.
Related forms include Harlow, Carlo, and the Irish Aherlow place name, and Arlo pairs well with classic middle names such as James, Thomas, Henry, or Reed for a balanced short-name rhythm.
How Popular Is Arlo?
Numerology & Symbolism of Arlo
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Arlo – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Arlo
What does the name Arlo mean?
Arlo likely means "valley land" or "valley between hills," deriving from the Irish eatharlach through Edmund Spenser's invented place name Arlo Hill in The Faerie Queene. Secondary etymologies propose Anglo-Saxon roots meaning "eagle hill" or connections to Germanic Harlow and Italian Carlo.
Where does the name Arlo come from?
The name Arlo comes from English literary tradition, specifically Edmund Spenser's 1590 epic poem The Faerie Queene, where Arlo Hill adapts the Irish place name Aherlow in County Tipperary. The name remained rare until the twentieth century, when folk singer Arlo Guthrie introduced it to wider American audiences.
Is Arlo a popular boy name?
Arlo has risen sharply in American use since the 2000s as parents embraced short, vintage-feeling masculine names alongside Milo, Otto, and Leo. The folk singer Arlo Guthrie introduced the name to broader awareness through his 1967 Alice's Restaurant anthem, and the two-syllable rhythm appeals to contemporary families.