How to say it
HAR · low
ˈhɑːr.loʊ
Feminine
Harlow
Army hill
What it means
An English place and surname name, from here ('army') or hær ('rock') plus hlaw ('hill, mound').
Harlow is an English locational name, a 'hill' where an army gathered or a 'rock hill,' from Old English roots, also the name of a town in Essex. As a first name it carries a streak of old Hollywood glamour through screen siren Jean Harlow, the original platinum blonde. It rides the surname-first wave with a soft -ow ending and leans feminine now. Harlow Madden and other celebrity babies pushed it up.
How to spell Harlow
The standard spelling is Harlow. Common variants include Harlow, Harlowe, Harloe, but Harlow is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #237 in 2021, currently #309 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
Leans feminine now, with a glamour echo of 1930s star Jean Harlow.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Jean Harlow 1930s Hollywood star, the original 'Blonde Bombshell'
Spelling variants
- Harlow
- Harlowe
- Harloe
Names with the same feeling
See Harlow from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Harlow mean?
- An English place and surname name, from here ('army') or hær ('rock') plus hlaw ('hill, mound').
- What does Harlow mean in English?
- In English, Harlow means "Army hill." Harlow is an English locational name, a 'hill' where an army gathered or a 'rock hill,' from Old English roots, also the name of a town in Essex. As a first name it carries a streak of old Hollywood glamour through screen siren Jean Harlow, the original platinum blonde. It rides the surname-first wave with a soft -ow ending and leans feminine now. Harlow Madden and other celebrity babies pushed it up.
- How do you pronounce Harlow?
- Harlow is pronounced ˈhɑːr.loʊ. Say it as HAR-low, with the stress on the "har" syllable.
- How do you spell Harlow?
- The standard spelling is Harlow. Common spelling variants include Harlow, Harlowe, Harloe.
- Is Harlow a boy or girl name?
- Harlow is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Harlow?
- Harlow ranked #309 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.