Last century, baby Willows, Harlows and Meadows were a rare breed. Today, baby names ending with -ow are cropping up everywhere. This surge in popularity has no doubt been helped by a number of high-profile celebrities who, ahead of the trend, chose names like Willow and Harlow for their offspring. Notably, Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith used the winsome Willow for their daughter in 2000, while Nicole Richie opted for the stylish Harlow in 2008.
Like the name Willow? Grab a copy of our free nursery printable here.Beyond the popular ow-ending names like Willow and Harlow, there's a fair selection of less common ow-enders. Some of them are inventive variations of traditionally o-ending names. Arlow, derived from Arlo, and Marlow, a variation of Marlo, showcase the best of this intriguing trend.
Among the contemporary ow-enders gracing birth certificates today, you'll also spot a number of nature names. From the popular tree-inspired girls' name Willow to the pastoral belle Meadow to the perky bird name Sparrow, these ow-enders pay tribute to Mother Nature, adding an extra layer of meaning to your child's name. And, if weather names count as nature names in your book, then you can also add newcomers Snow and Rainbow to the list.
As for the gender divide, most -ow ending baby names are girl names, or unisex names that lean towards the feminine, but those in search of boy names are not entirely without options. For parents of baby boys, the presidential Woodrow and the unisex Arrow, both powered by the riveting -row ending, offer distinctive possibilities.
One more thing before we delve into the list of ow-ending baby names: some names with the -ow suffix can be also be spelled with -owe. Harlow and Marlow, for example, morph into Harlowe and Marlowe, both perfectly legit names. If you're considering a straight-up word name, such as Meadow or Rainbow, you may want to stick to the ow-ending, however.
Here's our hand-picked list of ow-ending baby names, from popular picks to more unusual options:
This sweet, graceful name has become a contemporary favorite for parents looking for nature-inspired girl names. In addition to its obvious, arboreal meaning, the name Willow boasts a number of hidden meanings, discernible to those willing to dig deeper into its symbolism.
Willow may have started the trend of ow-ending baby names, but Harlow was pretty fast to join the roster. In addition to its elegant sound, Harlow boasts British place name panache, surname appeal, and a dash of Old Hollywood glam via Jean Harlow. In the contemporary U.S., Harlow is typically given to girls, though there are also some boys rocking this name.
If you love botanical girls' names but can't decide which plant to reference with your baby's name, this feminine M-beginning nature name captures the essence of more than just one plant!
Originally a place name and a surname, Marlow today counts as a unisex first name, too. Variants Marlo and Marlowe are also in circulation.
A straight-up word name, Arrow evokes strength and direction. Used for both boys and girls, it strikes a bold, modern note, making it a possibility for contemporary parents seeking a name that stands out.
One of the respectable group of old-fashioned boy names that start with W, Woodrow should be on your list if you're looking for a traditional, all-boy name with the charming ow-ending. Thanks to its presidential cred from Woodrow Wilson, this charmer might also appeal to parents interested in names with patriotic overtones or historical significance.
Though greatly overshadowed by Winston, we think this vintage charmer has real potential in today's world thanks to the upbeat Win-beginning and the stylish ow-ending. Plus, it comes with the winning nickname Winn!
This unusual but not unheard-of name might be the perfect choice for a nature-loving family looking for a baby name that soars above the ordinary. Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have a son called Sparrow (big sister is Harlow), but Sparrow would work equally well on a girl.
This wintry moniker is probably not the first name that comes to mind when you think about ow-ending names, but it does have the right letter combo, so it wouldn't be fair to leave it out. As for the gender breakdown, most baby Snows born in the U.S. have been girls—or dogs!
With the homophone Arlo reaching new heighs in the 2020s, Arlow feels more possible now than ever. Just be prepared to correct people on the spelling if you decide to go with this less-common spelling.
This word name has been used in small numbers for both sexes. With its unambiguous meaning and mysterious aura, it might appeal to the intrepid baby namer looking for an original moniker that's sure to turn heads.
With several hundred girls and women already bearing this name in America, Rainbow is a real possibility. In addition to its symbolic significance, Rainbow has one pretty cool thing going for it: the trendy nickname Rain (or Rayne/Raine, if you prefer).
Despite its pleasant meaning, Mellow has yet to take off. Among the few babies named Mellow, there have been both girls and boys.
Floral girls' names like Rose, Daisy and Lily have been used for generations, but there's also a whole bunch of beautiful unusual flower-inspired girl names, such as Yarrow, waiting to be plucked by some avant-garde parents. In addition to ranking high on the originality scale, Yarrow belongs to the special group of unisex flower names that can and have been used for both girls and boys.
Better known as a surname, Darrow has also been used as a masculine given name for more than a century, albeit in very small numbers.
If you see it as a variation of Bo, Bow works. Don't believe us? Ask the more than two hundred parents who have bestowed this mini moniker on their sons since the beginning of this century.
If you're looking to make a splash with your baby's moniker, this girl's name delivers. With its aquatic associations, it might also appeal to outdoorsy parents looking for an unusual nature-inspired name (for those without a fishing license, minnow is the common name for a number of species of small freshwater fish).
Any Take That fans out there? This name brings to mind the lead singer of the English pop group, but there have also been a number of other notable surnamed Barlows (such as the medieval saint Ambrose Barlow and the 19th-century mathematician Peter Barlow). As a first name, Barlow belongs to the category of unusual-but-not-unheard-of boy names.
If you're a traditionalist, stick with Winslow, which is the original surname/place name turned first name. But if you're a non-conformist who likes to put their stamp on things, Wynslow with a "y" could be a possibility, too.
If you're after an out-and-out British name with a strong vintage vibe and surname appeal to boot, this one might be a possibility. Otherwise, Onslow is probably not a keeper.