Home › Baby Names Directory › Camilo

Camilo

♂ Boy

Pronounced kah-MEE-loh /kaˈmi.lo/High

Meaning: Spanish and Italian form of Camillus, from the Latin camillus referring to a freeborn youth who assisted at religious rites; possibly related to Etruscan origins with a meaning of 'messenger of the gods'High

In 30 seconds: Camilo is the warm Spanish and Italian form of Camillus — an ancient Roman name connected to sacred service. Popular across Latin America, it brings classical elegance with Mediterranean flair.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighLatin, Spanish
MeaningSpanish and Italian form of Camillus, from the Latin camillus referring to a freeborn youth who assisted at religious rites; possibly related to Etruscan origins with a meaning of 'messenger of the gods'
U.S. rank (2025)#585 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births503 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 9,055

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219092025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Camilo derives from the Roman name Camillus, which referred to a freeborn youth who assisted priests during sacred rites. The term may have Etruscan roots relating to divine messengers. The most famous ancient bearer was Marcus Furius Camillus, a Roman general celebrated for saving Rome from the Gauls in 390 BC.

As a given name, Camilo has been widely used across Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Latin America for centuries. It is particularly popular in Colombia, where it ranks among the most common boys' names. In the United States, Camilo has grown as Latin American naming patterns influence broader trends.

Did you know? In ancient Rome, a camillus was a freeborn boy of noble family who served as an attendant in religious ceremonies — meaning Camilo literally carries within it a heritage of ritual, reverence, and high birth.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Camilo — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CamillusCamilleKamilo

Nicknames

CamiMilo

Famous Bearers

  • ★Camilo (1994–present)
    Colombian singer-songwriter and Latin Grammy Award winner.

If you like Camilo…

Emilio— three-syllable Spanish/Italian classic with the same Romance-language warmth
Mario— classic Spanish/Italian boys' name with similar Latin roots and three-syllable rhythm
Mateo— popular Spanish form of Matthew with the same melodic -o ending
Santiago— strong Spanish three-syllable name with the same Latin American popularity

Frequently Asked

What does the name Camilo mean?

Camilo is from the Latin camillus, referring to a freeborn youth who assisted at religious ceremonies, possibly with Etruscan roots meaning 'messenger of the gods.'

How do you pronounce Camilo?

It is said kah-MEE-loh — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Camilo a boy or girl name?

Camilo is a boys' name; the feminine form is Camila.

How popular is Camilo?

Camilo ranks in the U.S. top 300 boys' names and is extremely popular across Latin America, particularly in Colombia.