The name "Hostylo" is an ancient Slavic name formed using the suffix -ilo (similarly to names such as Berilo, Bratylo, Budilo, Vorotilo, Dobrylo, Putilo, Stanilo) from the double-root names modeled after Hostymysl’, Hostihrad, or modeled after Malhost, Milhost. In these models, the component -host- conveys the meaning of 'guest, merchant, newcomer, stranger.'Currently, the name "Hostylo" is qualified as a colloquial variant of the double-root name Hostomysl’. In Ukraine, the name "Hostylo" has been recorded since the 15th century. For example, in 1455 there is a record of "pred nashymi boyary Hostylo" in the city of Suceava; in 1488 it is mentioned that "that village was bought by their father Hostylo"; also, in 1488 there is a record of "synove Hostyla." In 1565, there was a peasant named Hostylo from the Khmelnytsky region, and in the 16th century, names were recorded as Hostilo. In the 17th century, "Hostylo" is mentioned in the context of the individual "Hostylo Ivanovych" in the city of Zhytomyr.In Maramureș in the 15th-16th centuries, the anthroponym "Hostylo" already served solely as an additional identifier alongside a personal name. For example, in 1474, among the nobility, an individual Mich. Goszholya is recorded, and in 1542, Jo. Gozthola is noted. In 1649, there is mention of a Cossack from the Pryluky regiment named Denys Hostylenko.The names Hostylo, Hostylets, as well as the patronymic Hostylovych were also used in Belarus and Russia, particularly in Novgorod. In Bulgaria and Serbia, these names are still in use today. In Poland, in the 13th century, the name Gostisław is recorded, along with its shortened variant Gosław, and related names such as Goscimir, Goscirad, and Gosciwit.
