A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Otto since 1880
Babies named Otto per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Otto's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,679 |
| 1890s | 2,543 |
| 1900s | 1,746 |
| 1910s | 5,552 |
| 1920s | 5,542 |
| 1930s | 3,135 |
| 1940s | 1,918 |
| 1950s | 1,514 |
| 1960s | 1,125 |
| 1970s | 712 |
| 1980s | 574 |
| 1990s | 610 |
| 2000s | 1,168 |
| 2010s | 4,570 |
| 2020s | 6,527 |
Meaning & origin
Otto is a Germanic name meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune,' with roots in the Old High German 'Odo.' It was historically popular among German nobility, including Otto von Bismarck, and saw early U.S. use in the 1880s, peaking in 1889. After a decline, the name has been steadily rising since 1992 and ranked 277th in 2025, with a revival in states like North Dakota, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Its strong, concise sound and vintage appeal make it a distinctive choice for modern parents seeking a classic yet uncommon name.
Otto derives from the Old High German name 'Odo' or 'Audo,' meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune.' It was a common name among German royalty, including Otto von Bismarck, the 19th-century unifier of Germany. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and saw a revival in the late 20th century.
Where Otto is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Otto” around the world
Where Otto lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Ireland
9
babies in 2025
New Zealand
30
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Otto
Names that share Otto's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mae, Iris, Clara, Edith, Vera, Ada, Bertha, Dora, Frieda, Hilda, Irma, Marlene, Adela, Berta, Dessa, Elda, Elsa, Erna, Ernestina, Freida, Frida, Gilda, Gisela, Greta, Gretchen, Griselda, Hermina, Hilma, Leota, Meta, Mitzi, Oleta, Theda, Trudi, Wilhelmina, Zelda, Albertina, Alda, Amalie, Buelah, Elfrieda, Elza, Gertha, Gretel, Heide, Hermine, Hertha, Hildegarde, Ilda, Ilse, Liesel, Maris, Mathilde, Minna, Nella, Oda, Rudi, Valda, Vella, Viva, Zetta, Aretta, Arta, Conni, Conny, Elsbeth, Else, Gizella, Grethel, Herma, Hilde, Ilma, Ilsa, Inda, Katha, Leida, Linde, Litzi, Luise, Lulla, Lumi, Merla, Netta, Odilia, Olla, Onita, Otila, Ottilia, Ottilie, Pecola, Ricarda, Signa, Versa, Wilhelmenia, Wilhemina, Adelheid, Benna, Cecilie, Gertude, Grettel, Hildy, Irva, Karlina, Marga, Oneita, Ople, Othelia, Rheda, Senta, Teckla, Thekla, Trude, Valeska, Varina, Vita, Wilhelmena, Anda, Anselma, Elfriede, Gerturde, Gusta, Haide, Hedi, Heike, Helma, Hildagard, Itha, Leisel, Liese, Otie, Otillia, Ritta, Truda, Vetta, Vineta, Walda, Wilmina, Wilna, Zsazsa
Brothers: Hugo, Leo, Felix, Max, Arlo, August, Carl, Clyde, Herman, Kurt, Luca, Waylon, Adolph, Bernhard, Casper, Conrad, Eduard, Elmo, Erwin, Fritz, Fulton, Gust, Hagen, Hans, Kaiser, Karl, Rainer, Rudolph, Wilhelm, Adolf, Alois, Armin, Arno, Bode, Erich, Ernst, Franz, Hansel, Juel, Klaus, Konrad, Lonzo, Lorenz, Ludwig, Mayer, Reinhold, Rommel, Rudolf, Sigmund, Urban, Werner, Alban, Alto, Bauer, Dolph, Edel, Ferd, Frederich, Fredrich, Gunter, Gunther, Handy, Heinrich, Heinz, Helmuth, Hermann, Ilo, Jaeger, Jahn, Lehman, Myer, Newt, Oree, Ovie, Rembert, Rolfe, Siegfried, Tilman, Wolfe, Zigmund, Behr, Burrel, Django, Ebert, Eisen, Eugen, Friedrich, Gerhart, Gottlieb, Hanzel, Huber, Kalik, Klein, Ludwin, Miner, Osker, Reiner, Reinhart, Wagner, Asser, Baer, Benno, Bertel, Egon, Ermin, Gildo, Grimm, Ludger, Sie, Sigmond, Weber, Wenzel, Wetzel, Willi, Zigmond
Names like Otto
Names whose popularity has moved with Otto's over the last 50 years.
