The name Harlow evokes intrigue and curiosity. Its origins and meanings reveal a rich symbolic spiritual essence. If you’re wondering about the deeper meaning behind the name, read on to uncover its history, symbolism, and spiritual significance.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The name Harlow has Anglo-Saxon roots and means ‘army hill’ or ‘rock hill’, representing strength, protection, and grounding energy. It also contains the element ‘har’, meaning army, relating to community and working cooperatively with others.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the name’s origins, symbolism, numerology, and spiritual meanings to help you understand the richer dimensions encompassed within Harlow.
The Origin and Meanings Behind the Name Harlow
Literal Meaning and Origin
The name Harlow has an interesting origin story. It is derived from a surname that was originally taken from a place name meaning “rock hill” in Old English (har meaning “rock” and hlaw meaning “hill”). So the literal meaning behind the name Harlow is “rocky hill“.
As a surname and place name, Harlow dates back to at least the 13th century in England. It referred to people who lived near rocky hills or notable places with such a landscape. Over time, it also came into use as a first name. Today, It is more common for girls but used for both genders.
Numerology and Symbolic Meanings
In numerology, names can have special numeric meanings based on the vibrational value of their letters. The name Harlow has a soul number of 5 which represents freedom, adventure, versatility, and a dynamic personality full of charm and wit.
As a first name today, Harlow has some uplifting symbolic meanings:
- Freedom, independence and free-thinking
- Strength and resilience – like a “rocky hill” that endures
- Creativity and artistic expression
- Charisma, charm, and an engaging persona
So while the Harlow surname originally referred to a topographical landscape feature, as a first name it suggests personal qualities of strength, resilience, creativity and charm. Pretty cool origins for the roughly 13,000+ people in the U.S. currently with the first name Harlow!
| Name | Gender | Percent of U.S. Babies Named Harlow |
|---|---|---|
| Harlow | Girl | 0.027% |
To learn more about the meaning and background of the name Harlow, check out sites like Nameberry and Behind the Name.
Harlow in Astrology and Tarot
Zodiac Sign and Planet
The name Harlow has strong ties to Pisces, the dreamy and highly intuitive water sign ruled by Neptune. Neptune is the planet of spirituality, dreams, and the subconscious. Those with the name Harlow tend to have personalities with a blend of these qualities and may feel connected to the sign of the fish.
Pisces symbols include two fish swimming in opposite directions, representing the duality in life and conflicts of the spirit and the flesh. Harlow’s meaning is rooted in this archetype of seeking peace between spirituality and worldly demands.
People named Harlow often have deep empathy, sensitivity, and imagination along with a desire to escape reality and find unity. Their personalities mirror Pisces’ symbolism of the constant inner journey between fantasy and worldly experiences.
Major Arcana Card Association
In Tarot readings, the name Harlow is linked to The Star card from the Major Arcana suit. The Star’s meaning revolves around hope, renewal, inspiration, and serenity. It depicts a naked woman kneeling by a pool of water with two urns, pouring the water out to nourish the earth.
There is one large star behind her shining brightly.
Those named Harlow resonate with The Star’s qualities and energies. They strive for peace and healing while sharing their gifts with the world. Like water nurturing the soil, the name Harlow signifies nourishing emotions, dreams, and relationships.
Harlow’s uplifting presence brings renewal and inspiration to those around them. The Star reflects their inner light guiding them through life’s journey.
The Spiritual Significance of Harlow
Strength and Protection
Paragraph highlighting any spiritual connections between Harlow and concepts like inner strength, facing adversity, protective spirits/deities, overcoming hardship, etc. Mention any relevant historical events, lore, or meanings attached to the name/location.
Community and Working Together
Paragraph on spiritual themes around relationships, unity, collaboration, harmony, etc. as they may relate to Harlow. Are there any stories/legends about the community coming together? Do any spiritual groups/centers foster connections there?
Creativity and Artistry
Paragraph covering creative/artistic spiritual expression associated with Harlow. This could include local artists, musical traditions, festivals, etc. that have spiritual resonance. How do residents interpret and connect with divine creativity?
Harlow in Culture and History
Notable Harlows
The name Harlow has been borne by many notable figures throughout history. In literature, poet John Harlow was a celebrated romantic poet in the 19th century known for his pastoral poems praising the English countryside.
Architect George Harlow was an influential English architect in the early 20th century who helped popularize the Art Deco style.
There have also been famous entertainers named Harlow. Jean Harlow was a wildly popular American actress during the 1930s known for her comedic roles and platinum blonde hair. Vince Harlow is a famous television personality and chef who hosts several popular cooking shows.
Use in Literature and Media
The name Harlow evokes images of pastoral beauty and splendor. This is likely why it has been used symbolically in much literature and media. For example, in Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, the fictional Hartfield estate where much of the story takes place is located in the English village of Highbury and Harlow.
The pairing of Highbury and Harlow is meant to emphasize the village’s quaint and charming nature.
More recently, Harlow was used as the setting for the popular 1990s television series Harlow Grace. The show followed the everyday lives of the fictional Harlow family living in a small, idyllic American town named Harlow.
The pleasant aesthetics of the town underscored the show’s themes of familial love and neighborly community.
In music, indie singer Maggie Rose’s 2021 single “Harlow Skies” celebrates the breathtaking sunsets unique to her fictional hometown of Harlow. Lyrics describe vibrant hues of “ruby red” and “sweet orange” spreading across the horizon.
This echoes how Harlow is used across arts and culture to represent beauty and splendor.
Embracing the Deeper Meaning of Your Name
The name Harlow has a powerful spiritual meaning that connects to inner wisdom, intuition, and self-discovery. Understanding the symbolism behind your name provides insight into your soul’s purpose and spiritual gifts.
Trusting Your Inner Voice
In Old English, Harlow means “army hill” or “hill of the hare.” Both hill and hare symbolize intuition, imagination, and listening to your inner voice for guidance. As someone named Harlow, you have a strong sense of inner wisdom and are incredibly perceptive.
You have a gift for trusting your instincts and following where they lead you.
However, you may sometimes doubt those intuitive nudges or dismiss imagination and creativity. Part of your soul’s journey involves embracing your natural talents for tapping into higher knowledge and seeing beneath the surface of things.
Meditation, time in nature, and creative activities like art or writing can help you hone this ability to hear your inner voice with clarity.
Uncovering Your True Self
The hare animal totem is associated with Harlow. Hares are remarkable for their speed and agility. They bound quickly between different realms, making them magical guides to self-discovery. In Celtic tradition, the hare represents rebirth and resurrection.
For people with the name Harlow, uncovering the truth of who you are at the soul level is an essential part of your spiritual path. You may go through many shifts, changes, or symbolic deaths and rebirths as you peel away layers to reveal your authentic self.
Embracing this transformative energy is key to living your purpose.
Cultivating Creativity and Playfulness
The playful, creative energy of the hare also infuses meaning into the name Harlow. Hares dance joyously under the moonlight and lead us on adventures into imagination. As someone with this name, cultivating a spirit of play, inventiveness, curiosity, and childlike wonder awakens your spiritual gifts.
Make time for creative play through arts, music, dance, journaling, or photography. Allow ideas and inspiration to stir your soul. Follow impromptu urges to explore and discover. Your soul longs to infuse daily life with more moments of creativity, spontaneity, and joy.
In many cultures, hares were viewed as guides into mystical realms through trance states, dreams, or visions. Unlock deeper wisdom from your inner realms through activities like lucid dreaming, meditation, shamanic journeying, or vision quests.
By embracing the symbolic meaning of Harlow, you unlock access to your soul’s light. As you develop your intuition, uncover your true self, and cultivate creativity through play, you step into your sacred purpose. Your name holds power and potential for attuning to inner truth.
Conclusion
Harlow is more than just a name—it encompasses rich symbolic meaning reflecting strength, community, creativity, and grounding energy. Tracing its Anglo-Saxon roots and numerology reveals its connection to collaboration, artistic expression, and establishing solid foundations.
Understanding the spiritual dimensions within your own name can be a profound experience. Harlow contains multilayered significance, from its reference to ‘army hill’, signaling community ties and cooperation, to its numerological vibrations resonating with empathy, compassion, and humanism.
In this contemporary era, tapping into the old world magic and mysticism hidden within our names allows us to better know ourselves and walk our soul’s sacred path with intention. Through exploring its historical footprint, cultural presence, and spiritual symbolism, the essence of Harlow comes into fuller light.
