Thurlo
A boy's name of Old Norse origin with 39 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Thurlo, you're looking at a name that fewer than 39 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The open, approachable ending gives Thurlo a direct, strong feel that works well in both playground and boardroom.
Thurlo is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Thurlo is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, a variant of Thurlow or Thurlo, derived from the Old Norse Þórulfr — combining Þórr (Thor, the thunder god) and ulfr (wolf). The name carries the fierce, mythological energy of the Norse tradition, evoking both divine power and wilderness.
As a given name, Thurlo is extremely rare, bearing the character of a name that feels rooted in the deep past while sounding genuinely distinctive today.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Thurlo is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1916–1931). Its Old Norse roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 39 total births, Thurlo exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Thurlo has 7+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 10 | #4384 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 16 | #4596 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 13 | #3681 | — |
The Story of Thurlo
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1917, Thurlo is a name steeped in history. Boys named Thurlo are most likely born between 1916 and 1927.
How rare is Thurlo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Thurlo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1916, peaked in the 1920s with 16 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(7 years, 1916–1931)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1931 | 5 | #4273 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4494 |
| 1927 | 5 | #4742 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4152 |
| 1922 | 5 | #4894 |
| 1917 | 7 | #3518 |
| 1916 | 6 | #3844 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thurlo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Thurlo most popular?
How popular is the name Thurlo?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1916–1931