Milo

Depending on its derivation, “mild, generous” or “dear”; Milo has no single certain meaning.

Milo is a masculine name with Germanic and Slavic explanations: “mild” or “generous” in one tradition, “dear” in another. These are alternative histories, rather than meanings that all belong to every Milo. There is also a separate classical name, Milo, from the Greek Milon (Μίλων). The medieval name appears in Latin records from several parts of Europe. Being written in Latin does not by itself make a name Latin in origin. The familiar explanation “soldier” comes through its association with Miles and Latin miles; it is not a settled translation of Milo. In English, Milo sounds like MY-loh: two syllables, with the first stressed. The movement from m to l and the open ending give it a light, welcoming quality. It may appeal if you enjoy the intimacy of a short name without wanting it to feel clipped. The English spelling Mylo is also used; Milo itself can stand as a full given name.

Etymology: An old German short form associated with the element mild, and also a Slavic short form built on mil-, “dear”. A separate classical Milo represents Greek Milon.