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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Otto vs. Milo

36 replies

chinlo · 14/09/2016 12:24

Milo flows so nicely off my tongue, it's much less harsh than Otto, but it's difficult to imagine an adult Milo in my opinion. Plus everyone online says it reminds them of dogs and chocolate milk, even though I've never seen/heard of Milo powder or met any dogs called Milo (not worried about the Tweenies since I think that association is dying out and will continue to do so in the near future).

Otto, on the other hand, seems like a very cool name. On paper, I prefer it! It's different, and I love that it's palindromic too. It's a strong name. But it doesn't feel as nice to say as Milo does, and I don't know if I can imagine calling my son it.

So, a name I think is cool and manly but hard to imagine on a baby, vs. name I think sounds really lovely and is cute for a little boy but perhaps not great on a grown man?

OP posts:
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Foxtato · 14/09/2016 13:40

I love the name Otto.. know a little boy called the name and he's so sweet. I think it's a cool name to grow up with.

I don't like Milo at all, I think it's not cool or sweet. Just a dull name to me and it makes me think of the Tweenies.

villainousbroodmare · 14/09/2016 13:31

I know a bloke whose mother is German. He's keen on his German heritage and called his son Otto. His extended German family were amazed, as in Germany it is regarded as the fustiest, most grandfatherish name possible.

Although I was one of the people who said that Milo reminds me of chocolate milk and vigorous Labrador retrievers, I still prefer it to Otto.

Meeep · 14/09/2016 13:31

I know soooo many Milos. Like, 84 of them. I'd go Otto.

ElspethFlashman · 14/09/2016 13:25

Otto sounds like a 19th century German Chancellor.

Milo is very trendy now so he won't lack company in it.

trevortrevorslatterfry · 14/09/2016 13:24

OOh sorry. I did not mean to be so rude by the way! Just my instinctive mental picture for Otto.

trevortrevorslatterfry · 14/09/2016 13:24

Milo sounds cool for a man IMO.

Otto sounds like a pug, or an old old Austrian man wearing lederhosen

chinlo · 14/09/2016 13:19

Thanks Sugarpie! I actually googled some top dogs names lists and you're right Grin Toby, Max, Jack, etc. are all more common for dogs than Milo, but nobody says that those are dogs names!!

For me it's more of a toss-up between what instinctively sounds sweet to say (which I obviously desire when thinking of a name for my child) and what is a cool, strong name, but doesn't feel as natural to say. Its tough!

OP posts:
MrsCaecilius · 14/09/2016 13:17

Both great names. Strong and contemporary.

I do know Milo as a drink (South Africa in my case) but that wouldn't put me off it.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 14/09/2016 13:10

I like them both, Milo would be my choice though.
Chinlo, dogs are called every name under the sun, these days, Don't concern yourself 💐

Caldini22 · 14/09/2016 12:48

I really like Milo. Not so keen on Otto.

Thisisnotworking · 14/09/2016 12:45

Milo is a very popular chocolatey drink in Australia. I like Otto