Otto

Otto is a name of Old High German origin that began as a short form for various names starting with the syllable "Ot", such as Otmar or Otwald. However, over the course of the Middle Ages, it developed into an independent first name.

What does the name Otto mean?

The name Otto has its roots in Old High German and derives from the Old Germanic word "aud", which means "possession, wealth, fortune". Thus, Otto can be interpreted as "the rich, the wealthy". Due to this splendid meaning, Otto became a common name among emperors, kings, and nobility in the Middle Ages. Among the most famous bearers is Otto I the Great, who became known in the 10th century as King of East Francia, later as King of Italy and as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In modern times, Otto was very popular at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century. The widespread use of the name led to it being used in the 1948 film "Berliner Ballade" as a synonym for a typical German average consumer. This designation gained great popularity and is still used today. In the years that followed, the name experienced a decline in popularity, but in recent years, with the trend towards traditional German names, Otto has seen a revival as a baby name.

Where does the name Otto come from?

The name Otto was originally a short form of names that began with the Old High German syllable "Ot" and meant "possession, wealth, fortune", such as Otmar or Otwald. In the Middle Ages, it quickly advanced to an independent and popular first name. The Old High German "ot" has its roots in the Old Germanic "aud", which also means "possession, wealth, fortune". The Old English "ead", which appears in many first names like Edgar or Edward, has a similar meaning.

How do you pronounce Otto?

The name Otto is two syllables and symmetrically structured. In German pronunciation, it is usually rendered as "Ot-to" [ˈɔto], with the two open "o" sounds gently framing the name. The doubling of the "t" gives it rhythmic stability. Otto radiates a compact and clear presence that makes it traditional and distinctive.

When is the name day of Otto?

The name day of Otto is celebrated on June 30.

Popularity

Otto has been a fixed part of the name spectrum in Germany since the late 19th century. For many decades, it was one of the most frequently given first names and shaped the name lists of its time. In the early years of the 20th century, Otto reached its peak and achieved third place in the name rankings in 1904. The name remained very present in the 1930s. However, from the mid-20th century, a gradual decline began.

Nicknames & pet names

Chaotto / Charlotto / Coktotto / Detlef-Otto / Dodo / Dr. Öttker / Eierbär / Faulerotto / Fischotto / Fisternölleken / Flotterotto / Glatze / Horstlichter / Hugenotto / Karlotto / Karotto / Kottan / Käseotto / Lottel / Lotto / Maitre / Motto / Ochse / Octane / OpelKarl / Othman / Otl / Ottchen / Otten / Otter / Otti / Ottifant / Ottifanten / Ottili / Ottilie / Ottino / Ottobaerchen / Ottohasi / Ottomane / OttoMotto / Ottopopotto / Ottopäde / Ottorotto / Ottschen / Poletto / Poppo / Pullmann / Ranger / Risotto / Rottenotto / Rotti / Rotto / Schnauz / Sheriff / Texaner / Toto / Usaotto / Westernotto / Zotsotto / Ötte

Similar first names

Famous people

• Alfred Otto Schwede (German writer)
• Hans-Otto Schubert (German doctor)
• Karl Otto Runolfsson (Icelandic composer)
• Otto Addo (football player from Ghana)
• Otto Barblan (Swiss composer)
• Otto Biro (Romanian ice hockey player)
• Otto Bonsema (footballer from the Netherlands)
• Otto Dix (painter)
• Otto Friedrich "Otfried" Hofius (Protestant theologian)
• Otto Georgens (Catholic auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Speyer)
• Otto Hahn (German chemist, known as the 'father of nuclear chemistry')
• Otto Hatszeghy (Hungarian fencer)
• Otto Hermann Brandt (German historian)
• Otto I (Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 962)
• Otto Illies (painter from Japan)
• Otto Kiss (Hungarian writer)
• Otto Kleemann (American architect)
• Otto Knows (Swedish DJ)
• Otto Kopp (painter from Germany)
• Otto Lehner (Swiss racing cyclist)