Arrow
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 1,639 recorded births. Also given to 822 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Arrow is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English arwe, meaning the projectile fired from a bow — a symbol of speed, precision, and purpose. As a word name, it's a nature-adjacent choice in the tradition of Flint, Archer, and Hunter.
Arrow gained cultural currency through the CW superhero series Arrow (2012-2020), which likely contributed to its emergence as a given name. It's bold and direct — like the name itself, it goes straight to the point. About 1,640 U.S. births are recorded.
EtymologyShow more
Arrow is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Old English naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Arrow creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arrow climbed 7326 spots in the last 20 years — from #8998 to #1672.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 622 | #1459 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 868 | #2387 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 79 | #8404 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 42 | #8171 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 11 | #6536 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 17 | #4983 | — |
The Story of Arrow
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2018, Arrow is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Arrow are most likely born between 2008 and 2024.
How rare is Arrow?
Only about 1 in every 36,000 babies born in 2024 was named Arrow — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1971, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 868 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Arrow by the numbers
- Would fill 34 school buses
- Meeting one Arrow per day would take 4.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1971–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 100 | #1672 |
| 2023 | 116 | #1517 |
| 2022 | 123 | #1468 |
| 2021 | 128 | #1423 |
| 2020 | 155 | #1215 |
| 2019 | 161 | #1188 |
| 2018 | 172 | #1122 |
| 2017 | 138 | #1307 |
| 2016 | 122 | #1421 |
| 2015 | 97 | #1641 |
| 2014 | 60 | #2234 |
| 2013 | 38 | #2960 |
| 2012 | 34 | #3238 |
| 2011 | 28 | #3702 |
| 2010 | 18 | #5059 |
| 2009 | 16 | #5576 |
| 2008 | 10 | #7738 |
| 2007 | 7 | #9861 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6489 |
| 2005 | 10 | #7148 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Arrow as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Arrow has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 822 births since 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arrow a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arrow most popular?
How popular is the name Arrow?
Can Arrow be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1971–2024