The name Malo Mlačevo literally means 'little Mlačevo', distinguishing it from the neighboringsettlement of Veliko Mlačevo. The name was first attested in 1277 as zemlassen, and in 1313 as in dem wenigern Maltscher , and in 1496 as Klein Mlatscherin, among other variations. The name is presumably derived from *Mlačevo selo/polje, ultimately meaning 'village/field belonging to Milač '. In the past the German name was Kleinmlatschevo.