Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Carlo” come from?

Carlo is the Italian form of a name derived from Latin Carolus, itself from Proto-Indo-European ǵerh₂-, a root relating to strength or manliness.

Ancestry of “Carlo”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1ItalianCarloCarlo Maria Isidro di Borbone-Spagna; Charles
2LatinCarolusCharles
3Middle High GermanKarl—
4Old High Germankarlman
5Proto-Germanickarilazfree man, franklin; little man, young man
6Proto-Germanickaraz—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanǵerh₂-to grow old, to mature
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵerh₂- →