Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Marlo
UnisexEnglish· “uncertain (variant of Marlowe)”
- Meaning
- uncertain (variant of Marlowe) (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- MAR-loh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,839
- US babies 2025
- 109
- Best rank
- #396 (1968)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Marlo
Marlo is often said to mean “uncertain (variant of Marlowe)”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
Marlo is usually seen as a variant of Marlowe, an English surname taken from a place name. Its meaning is uncertain; the place name is often explained as 'land remaining after a lake has drained', but this is not firmly established. The surname is famous through the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe, and actress Marlo Thomas made Marlo familiar as a first name. Today it works for both girls and boys and has a breezy, artsy feel. Marlow and Marlowe are alternative spellings.
Popularity over time
Marlo first appears in US Social Security records in 1931. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 11 different years, starting in 1967. Its best national rank was #396 in 1968, and the most babies received it in 1970, when 593 were named Marlo. In 2025, 109 babies were named Marlo, and it ranked #1,839 nationally. That is 42% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,084 in 1950, #1,333 in 1980, #3,635 in 2000, #2,286 in 2010, and #1,839 in 2025. Of the 7,264 US girls named Marlo since records began, 35% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 1,603 babies. Since 2010, 1,541 more have been named Marlo.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Shanon and Jody.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Marlo ranked highest in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #927 | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | #983 | 9 |
| Indiana | #1148 | 5 |
| Ohio | #1232 | 7 |
| California | #2215 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Marlo is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 60% of US babies named Marlo were girls and 40% were boys.
Marlo is usually pronounced MAR-loh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-lo”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Marlowe and Marlow.
Middle names for Marlo
A few middle names that flow with Marlo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marlo
Similar names
Arlo Boy
AHR-loh
English
#148
Justice Unisex
JUHS-tihs
“justice, fairness” · English
#1,363
Carly Girl
KAHR-lee
“free man” · English
#1,009
Devon Boy
DEH-vuhn
“from the English county of Devon” · English
#1,028
Crystal Girl
KRIHS-tuhl
“crystal, ice” · Greek
#1,145
Courtney Girl
KAWRT-nee
“from a French place name” · French
#2,335
Baylee Girl
BAY-lee
“bailiff; modern spelling of Bailey” · English
#1,008
Lindsey Girl
LIHN-zee
“from Lindsey, 'island of Lincoln'” · English
#1,369
Hayley Girl
HAY-lee
“hay clearing” · English
#1,251
Randy Boy
RAN-dee
“shield wolf” · English
#1,089
Darren Boy
DEH-ruhn
Irish
#1,135
Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Lists that include Marlo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marlo mean?
Marlo is often said to mean “uncertain (variant of Marlowe)”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
What is the origin of the name Marlo?
Marlo has English roots. Marlo is usually seen as a variant of Marlowe, an English surname taken from a place name.
Is Marlo a popular name?
Not especially. Marlo ranked #1,839 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Marlo a boy or girl name?
Marlo is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 60% of US babies named Marlo were girls and 40% were boys.
How do you pronounce Marlo?
Marlo is usually pronounced MAR-loh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings