Barlow, of Anglo-Saxon origin, is an uncommon yet distinct given name for males. It is derived from the Old English words 'beor' meaning 'bright' or 'famous,' and 'halh' signifying 'dwelling' or 'nook.' Thus, Barlow translates to 'bright nook' or 'famous dwelling.' While it was originally used as a surname, it has been occasionally employed as a given name since the mid-20th century. Notable individuals with the name Barlow include American novelist John P. Barlow and English cricketer Thomas Barlow.
The name Barlow appears to have experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with peaks in the late 1930s and mid-1950s, and a recent resurgence from 2019 onwards.