Given name & surname · also American
Harlow
“an impetuous woman”·“from the army on the hill”
Harlow is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “an impetuous woman” (American) and “from the army on the hill” (English). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “an impetuous woman” (American) and “from the army on the hill” (English). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with American and English naming traditions.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1882. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Harlow through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 16,655
- 2,669 boys · 13,986 girls
- Most popular year
- 2023
- 1,455 babies
- 2025
- 1,148
- #309 for girls · #1,214 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +42%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 9% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 981 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 309 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 31.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 167 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (105). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 7,566 as a first name in 2020; 11,238 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Harlow’s family of names
Harlow has a related form in Harlo. Harlow has a related form in Harloe. Harlow has a related form in Harlowe.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Harlow
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Harlow, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Hallie
“from the hall” · “woman of the sea”
>99% girls
Harley
“from the meadow of the hares”
20% boys · 80% girls
Haven
“one who provides a safe place” · “one who provides sanctuary; shelter”
9% boys · 91% girls
Harmony
“unity; musically in tune”
>99% girls
Willow
“of the willow tree”
1% boys · 99% girls
Meadow
“from the beautiful field”
>99% girls
Holland
“from the Netherlands”
18% boys · 82% girls
Hadley
“from the field of heather” · “from the heather meadow”
1% boys · 99% girls