Harlow Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HAR-loh //ˈhɑːrloʊ//
Origin: English; Old English
Meaning: English: army hill; Old English: hare hill
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Harlow has its roots in Old English, deriving from the elements "here," meaning army, and "hlaw," meaning hill or mound. This etymological combination suggests a geographical or topographical significance, likely referring to a hill where an army might gather or a burial mound.
The name entered the English lexicon through various forms, evolving from its Old English origins into Middle English before becoming established in modern usage. Harlow is also associated with several locations in England, which may have contributed to its adoption as a given name.
Historically, the name Harlow can be traced back to the 13th century, with references to places named Harlow in Essex, England. The town of Harlow was documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, indicating its long-standing presence in English history.
Although not directly linked to any prominent biblical figures or saints, the name's geographical significance has lent it a degree of historical importance, particularly in relation to the development of English place names and their influence on personal names. Culturally, Harlow carries connotations of strength and resilience, reflective of its meaning related to armies and hills.
The name has been utilized in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing a connection to heritage and the landscape of England. Its association with specific locales has also fostered a sense of identity for those bearing the name.
While diminutive forms like "Har" may arise informally, Harlow itself remains a name with a rich historical and cultural backdrop, rooted in the landscape and history of England.
Famous people named Harlow
In this section, you will find notable people named Harlow. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Harlow who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Harlow who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Harlow Shapley was an astronomer best known for his work on the Milky Way and the concept of the Shapley-Curtis debate.
Fictional characters named Harlow
The following list of fictional characters named Harlow is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Harlow is a fictional character from the video game series Dead by Daylight. They are a survivor known for their resilience and resourcefulness in escaping from deadly killers.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Harlow, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Harlow was first seen in the United States in 2002.
Harlow has ranked as high as #464 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Harlow has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Harlow is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Harlow was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Harlow (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 100 | |
| TX | 93 | |
| OH | 50 | |
| PA | 50 | |
| FL | 49 | |
| IL | 44 | |
| NY | 42 | |
| WA | 34 | |
| NC | 34 | |
| WI | 32 | |
| MO | 31 | |
| AZ | 30 | |
| TN | 29 | |
| KY | 26 | |
| UT | 25 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Harlow.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,079 |
| 2023 | 1,273 |
| 2022 | 1,199 |
| 2021 | 1,278 |
| 2020 | 959 |
| 2019 | 1,009 |
| 2018 | 863 |
| 2017 | 798 |
| 2016 | 786 |
| 2015 | 759 |
| 2014 | 611 |
| 2013 | 545 |
| 2012 | 507 |
| 2011 | 465 |
| 2010 | 354 |
| 2009 | 301 |
| 2008 | 133 |
| 2007 | 28 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2002 | 6 |