Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Harlow

Harlow is the transferred use of an English surname with Anglo-Saxon origins derived from a place name. The name comes from the Olde English elements “hoer” meaning a pile of rocks or stones and “hlaw” meaning a hill. So the surname essentially developed to identify a person who dwelled on or around a rocky hill area. The first element is often associated with the Olde English “here” meaning “army” (or a lot of people) and could also mean “the mound of many people”. The town names were originally recorded as Herlawe and Hirlawe in Essex and Northumberland (circa 11th to 13th centuries). The first recorded spelling of this surname was rendered as “de Herlaye” in the early 12th century (which makes Harlow one of the earliest surnames in English existence). Although Harlow has a long history as a last name, as a given name for girls, this one is quite recent. Its popularity is owed to reality TV star Nicole Richie and musician-husband Joel Madden who named their first child, a daughter, Harlow in 2008. The celebrity couple confirmed the name was used in homage to the 1930s “blonde bombshell” actress Jean Harlow whose life – and career – was tragically cut short at the age of 26 (for more information on Jean Harlow, see historical references below).

All About the Baby Name – Harlow

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME HARLOW

The number Five personality loves the excitement of life and can easily adapt to all situations. As natural adventurers, these personalities thrive on the new and unexpected and prefer to be in constant motion. It makes them feel alive. They'll stir up some action if there's not enough around, and as inherent risk-takers they enjoy pushing the envelope. Naturally rebellious, the Five personality has no fear and never resists change.  Traveling and new experiences feed their souls. Fives are very social and attract friends with ease. People love to be around the Five fun-loving and exciting energy.  This is also a lucky number in numerology (like the Threes), so fortune seems to shine on them, helped along by their own optimism and good-nature. Fives have a quick wit, a cerebral mind, and are generally very persuasive. 

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME HARLOW

Harlow made her Hollywood debut on the American female naming carts in 2009, the year after reality TV star Nicole Richie named her daughter Harlow in 2008. Fashionista Richie followed that achievement up with the release of her own House of Harlow 1960 jewelry line. This is one retro girl. Although Nicole Richie wasn’t exactly a trailblazer when it came to her name choices – actress Patricia Arquette had her beat in 2003 when she named her daughter Harlow five years earlier. It’s just that Arquette doesn't have the same celebrity cachet to impact the usage of a name. Richie does. And she did. The name Harlow for girls has already risen from nowhere to semi-respectable positions on the charts. Parents seem to be drawn to this name suddenly, but we wonder how much of this has to do with celebrity mimicry vs. a true apppreciation for Harlow's ultimate namesake, i.e., Jean Harlow. We’re betting the former. Either way, though, Harlow is a cool name - not just any run-of-the-mill surname.

Quick Facts

ON HARLOW

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

540

PRONUNCIATION:

HAHR-lo

SIMPLE MEANING:

Rocky/Stony Hill

Characteristics

OF HARLOW

Freedom-loving

Adventurous

Adaptable

Intellectual

Easygoing

Progressive

Sensual

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Harlow

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME HARLOW

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Harlow

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME HARLOW

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Harlow


Popular Songs

ON HARLOW

Jean Harlow
a song by Leadbelly

Famous People

NAMED HARLOW

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Harlow.

Children of Famous People

NAMED HARLOW

Nicole Richie;

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME HARLOW

Jean Harlow was an extremely popular star of American film during her short life, which was cut short at the age of twenty-six due to kidney failure. During that span, she made forty-one movies, married three times (and was on the verge of a fourth), wrote a posthumously published novel, and won critical acclaim for her body of work, being ranked one of the greatest movie star of all times by the American Film Institute. The first “blonde bombshell”, Jean had an earthy and healthy sex appeal, and was successfully paired with such screen giants as Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and James Cagney. Born Harlean Harlowe Carpenter in Kansas City, Missouri, and affectionately called “Baby”, Jean made her first marriage to Charles McGrew, heir to large fortune, at the age of sixteen, and she and her young husband headed to Los Angeles, where Jean had appeared in bit parts. When her first marriage failed, Jean moved in with her mother and her second husband, who had also moved to Los Angeles. Ever the stage mother, Jean Harlow Carpenter Bello (Mama) pushed and encouraged her daughter to audition frequently, and Jean made her first big hit in Hell’s Angels in 1930. She became an overnight sensation and went on to become a superstar at MGM, boosting their sales at a critical time during the Depression. During this time, her second husband, producer Paul Bern, committed suicide amidst a mysterious scandal. When Jean went on to have an affair with the married boxer, Max Baer, the ever-protective studio prevailed upon her to marry Harold Rossom, a cinematographer and friend, in order to avoid bad publicity. They were quietly divorced seven months later. She and actor William Powell were slated to marry, when she became seriously ill on the set of Saratoga. After summoning a doctor and recalling Jean’s mother from vacation, Powell finally arranged to have her hospitalized at Good Samaritan, where she fell into a coma and died on June 7th, 1937. A stunned industry and public saw her to her burial, and Saratoga was finished with stand-ins and opened to the public as the highest grossing picture of 1937. An extraordinary life, extraordinarily short, extraordinarily fulfilled.