[name_m]Hi[/name_m], so just as the title of this thread suggests I’d like to know what you think of the name Harrow? It’s actually not a name here on nameberry, I first heard it in the quite unknown movie ‘City of [name_u]Ember[/name_u]’.
I’m a big fan of classic, old-fashioned & timeless boy names (eg [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]William[/name_m]) so I would probably never use it as a first name but rather a middle name.
In my opinion, [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] Harrow _________ or [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] Harrow ________ is really cute and unique.
As a middle name, sure, I guess it could work. I don’t like it much itself though. I’m truly sorry. It just makes me thinking of a “harrowing ordeal” or something (definition: extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous). The actual definitions of Harrow itself aren’t pleasant either… It’s sort of hard to shake.
I personally prefer [name_m]Arrow[/name_m]. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] and [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] are handsome. I love boys names to have a [name_m]Tom[/name_m] [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], [name_m]Huckleberry[/name_m] [name_u]Finn[/name_u], [name_m]Lewis[/name_m] and [name_m]Clark[/name_m], [name_u]Robin[/name_u] Hood feel. [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] does this for [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and [name_m]Alfred[/name_m].
I think if you want to use it, I’d definitely choose it as a middle name. I think for me personally, with the unusualness plus the unfortunate definition of the word, I’m not sure that I would use it, but I do see the literary appeal. I think [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] could be a good substitution if you want something similar, or maybe look for lists of uncommon vintage names to get something with a similar feel.
It’s a [name_u]London[/name_u] place name and ultra prestigious private boy’s school in the UK, I can’t see past that (pretty well know, as in ‘‘only Harrow boys are ever Prime Minister’’ type sentiment exists).
Sound wise, it’s very soft and Earthy, I like it. I would be on board if I could get past the association, so in theory I’d say it’s great. I actually just posted a thread about [name_u]Yarrow[/name_u], like the plant. It has the same appeal to me! I like [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] too, or Arro which is an old Cornish name.
[name_m]Alfred[/name_m] Harrow or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] Harrow are just gorgeous though. I was wondering about [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_u]Yarrow[/name_u] yesterday, [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] Harrow would be just as fab.
I like it, but then again I also like [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] and Hallow. It’s definitely out there and a name that will get a lot of different opinions.
Like oliviasarah, all I associate it with is the school, and while that’s not necessarily a negative association for me, it seems like a very odd name for a child.
I also tend to feel that with surname/place type names, you should have a link to the name to use it, and so if you don’t, I wouldn’t use Harrow as a middle.
It sounds nice enough, but I can’t get past the meaning (harrow is a word I’m familiar with, and the association is immediate).
Besides its meaning as a verb (which others have mentioned - basically “to cause distress”, “to worry”, etc), a harrow is an agricultural tool (like a plough).
I like the suggestions others have made of [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] or [name_f]Harlow/name_f. @ladimon mentioned Hallow, which is still quite “out there” and a bit spooky but not as distressing.
If you love Harrow and can’t imagine using a different name, I’d suggest considering the spelling ‘[name_m]Harro[/name_m]’. It won’t remove all of the associations, but it will make it visually different (and [name_m]Harro[/name_m] has some history as a name). [name_m]Harold[/name_m]/[name_m]Henry[/name_m]/[name_m]Heinrich[/name_m] nn [name_m]Harro[/name_m], for instance, doesn’t immediately suggest ‘harrow/ harrowing’ to me.
Like many others, I think it sounds nice, but I don’t like the meaning. I much prefer [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] or Hallow, as a pp mentioned. I also like the suggestions of [name_m]Arrow[/name_m] and [name_f]Sparrow[/name_f]. There are so many more options that have almost the same sound, but not the unfortunate meaning. I’d go with one of those.