Otto

The tenth century marked the dawn of the Holy Roman Empire, which began the German monarchy. The first German ruler also had a German name: Otto. 

Otto began as a medieval diminutive of German names starting with "od" or "ot", meaning "wealth" or "fortune." Otto the Great was one of the name's earliest known bearers. The eleventh-century Saint Otto of Bamberg followed. Plus, it was in moderate use in Italy during the Renaissance, ranking #347 in 1427. 

Otto was very popular as a name in nineteenth century America. It ranked in the U.S. Top 100 through the 1890s and the top 200 through the 1910s. It then dropped out of the top 1000 in 1975. After Otto started to decline in America, it became more common in other nations. It was popular in Germany through the 1920s, in 1940s Norway, and in the Czech Republic through the 1970s. 

After hitting its lowest usage of 45 babies in 1984, Otto began its American revival. It returned to the top 1000 in 2011 and re-entered the top 500 in 2017. Otto now ranks in the 300s. 

Otto is also in moderate use in England. It is currently very common in Finland, Denmark, and Sweden as well. 

Otto could be a classic because it's been worn by royals and saints throughout its long history. However, it feels slightly too German and old-fashioned to make the cut. Either way, the name will appeal to parents after something old-fashioned, foreign, and sweet. 

STYLES:

Compact, Germanic, Vintage

SISTERS:

Cleo, Matilda, Pearl, Edith, Ingrid, Zora, Olive, Thea

BROTHERS:

Fritz, Hugo, Ulysses, Milo, Axel, Casper, Ira, Wiley

ALTERNATIVES:

Amos, Benno, Cosmo, Hans, Ivo, Otis, Roscoe, Viggo

FURTHER RESOURCES:

"Otto." Names, Behind the Name, 7 Dec. 2022, https://www.behindthename.com/name/otto. 

"Otto." Names, Nameberry, 2023, https://nameberry.com/babyname/otto. 

What do you think about Otto? 

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