All about the name

Arlo

Male

« Arlo is a male given name of Pawnee Native American origin, meaning "between two hills," traditionally given to boys born between peaks or valleys. It gained popularity through Edgar Lee Masters' poetry collection "Spoon River Anthology" and is famously associated with folk singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie. »

#158 last year

Meaning, origin, history

The exact origin of the given name Arlo is not established with certainty. It is generally considered a modern name, occasionally linked to older English place names, though no direct medieval continuity has been documented.

Meaning of the name Arlo

Scholars do not fully agree on the etymology of Arlo. Some analyses suggest possible connections to Old English elements such as leah (woodland or clearing) and earm (arm), but these reconstructions remain speculative. The precise meaning is not established with certainty.

Origin of the name Arlo

The given name Arlo is a recent development, with no documented usage before the modern era. Its association with older English naming patterns is speculative rather than historically attested.

History of the name Arlo

The earliest documented use of Arlo as a given name dates to the twentieth century. Any connection to historical place names or surnames remains unverified in early records.

Variants and related forms

  • Arley: A form that exists as a historical place name and surname. Its relationship to the modern given name Arlo is uncertain.
  • Arleigh: A form that exists as a historical place name and surname. Its relationship to the modern given name Arlo is uncertain.

Cultural heritage

The given name Arlo does not have documented historical ties to medieval land surveys or parish registers. Its usage is primarily modern, without established religious or literary traditions.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Arlo since 1880

Total births
19,288
Total since 1880
Peak year
2023
2,297 births
in 2023
2,297
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+206%
vs previous 5 years