Michael Palermo

(male) English form of a common biblical name (meaning ‘who is like God?’ in Hebrew) borne by one of the archangels, the protector of the ancient Hebrews, who is also regarded as a saint of the Catholic Church. In the Middle Ages, Michael was regarded as captain of the heavenly host (see Revelation 12:7–9), symbol of the Church Militant, and patron of soldiers. He was often depicted bearing a flaming sword. The name is also borne by a Persian prince and ally of Belshazzar mentioned in the Book of Daniel. Since the early 1900s it has been one of the most enduringly popular boys' names in the English-speaking world. See also Michal.

Italian and Jewish (from Italy): habitational name from the Sicilian city of Palermo, the Greek name of which is Panormos, from pan ‘all’ + ormos ‘gulf’, ‘bay’, probably in the sense ‘wide gulf’, but possibly ‘well-protected bay’.