
Origin, Meaning, And History Of Otto
The name Otto is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German name Odo, which means ‘wealth’ and ‘prosperity.’ It was a popular name in Germany during the Middle Ages and has since then spread to other parts of the world. The name is a combination of the words ‘od,’ which means ‘wealth,’ and ‘hrod,’ which means ‘fame’ and ‘glory.’
Otto was popularized in the Middle Ages and was a common name among Germanic-speaking peoples, particularly in the Holy Roman Empire. It has been used by various Germanic tribes and dynasties, including the Franks and the Saxons. The name was also popular among several medieval saints, including Saint Otto of Bamberg, a bishop and missionary in the 11th century.
This name has been recently adopted by other cultures, particularly in North America and Europe. In the US, this name was popular during the 20th century but saw a decline in its usage after that. In recent years, it has become popular again in some parts of the world.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the name Otto gained popularity outside of Germany and spread to countries such as the United States, England, and France. It has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including Otto von Bismarck, the first chancellor of Germany, and Otto Frank, the father of Anne Frank.
According to some cultures, this name is commonly used for boys but can also be suitable for girls. Common variations of Otto include Otis, Ottomar, and Ottokar, among others.
Fictional characters who have made this name popular include Otto Octavius or Dr. Octopus, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the minion named Otto from the movie ‘Minions: The Rise Of Gru,’ and Otto Mann from the popularly known series ‘The Simpsons.’
According to information provided by the Society For The German Language, Otto was considered to be the second most popular name for boys in Germany during the 1900s and remained in the top 10 list of names until the 1950s. However, its popularity declined after that, and the ranking dropped to the top 200 names.
How To Pronounce Otto?
Famous People With The Name Otto
- Otto I (also known as Otto The Great)The king of Germany from 936 to 973
- Otto Porter Jr.American basketball player, plays for the Toronto Raptors
- Otto SternGerman-American scientist and a Nobel Laureate in Physics
- Otto Kerner Jr.American politician and the 33rd Governor of Illinois
- Otto Graham Professional American football, a quarterback for the American football team Cleveland Browns
Otto On The Popularity Chart
The name has consistently increased in popularity between 1980 and 2020. Let’s check the graphs below to learn more about Otto’s evolution.
Popularity Over Time
Otto’s popularity increased in 2010, when 180 babies per million were given this name. Its popularity further peaked in 2021 when the numbers increased from 180 to 965 babies per million. The graph below shows the popularity trend.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The ranking of this name has improved from 21,751 in 2008 to 17,880 in 2021. Refer to the following graph for more details about the changes in the ranking over the years.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Otto
You like the way the name Otto sounds but want to keep looking for a few other options? Check out these names that have a similar sound as Otto.
Names With Similar Meaning As Otto
More than the name Otto, if its meaning attracts you, here are a few more options for your perusal. They have similar meanings to Otto.
Name Numerology For Otto


