The nameOtto

Otto is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning "wealth". The name of emperors, it is coming back in Britain and the United States.

Boy's name
Germanic
Feast day

Meaning

Otto comes from the Germanic od, "wealth, fortune".

Origin

Germanic. Otto the Great was crowned Emperor in 962 and is seen as the founder of the Holy Roman Empire.

History

Otto von Bismarck, the German chancellor, made it famous. It reached the American top 70 and is rising again.

Famous people named Otto

Otto the Great, Emperor
Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany
Otto Frank, father of Anne Frank

Popularity of the name Otto

Otto in the United States

274thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024

2024peak year (1,239 births)

38,769babies named Otto in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Otto was most popular in the United States in the 1910s, with 5,593 births over the decade, 14% of all recorded babies named Otto. Half of all babies named Otto in the United States were born before 1933, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,056 births a year on average, against 626 in the five years before.

Otto in the United Kingdom

124thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2024peak year (485 births)

4,390babies named Otto in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Otto was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 2,343 births over the decade, 53% of all recorded babies named Otto. Its rise began around 2006, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Otto in the United Kingdom were born before 2020, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 418 births a year on average, against 217 in the five years before.

Otto in France

1112thmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures

1910peak year (55 births)

1,020babies named Otto in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Otto in Belgium

146thmost popular boys' name in Belgium in 2025

2025peak year (72 births)

787babies named Otto in Belgium since 1995

Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Otto in Austria

127thmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025

2024peak year (54 births)

560babies named Otto in Austria since 1984

Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Otto in Norway

115thmost popular boys' name in Norway in 2025

1947peak year (74 births)

1,686babies named Otto in Norway since 1945

Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Sibling names for Otto

Names from the same generation as Otto, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Otto? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Otto in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Otto mean?

Otto comes from the Germanic od, "wealth, fortune".

What is the origin of the name Otto?

Germanic. Otto the Great was crowned Emperor in 962 and is seen as the founder of the Holy Roman Empire.

Is Otto a girl's or a boy's name?

Otto is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Otto?

In 2024, Otto was the 274th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,239 births.

What are good sibling names for Otto?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Eloise, Mabel, Rosie and Ada for a sister, Adriel, August, Beau and Milo for a brother.

Who are famous people named Otto?

Otto the Great, Emperor; Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany; Otto Frank, father of Anne Frank.