Otto
Otto: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɑtoʊ/ · /ˈɒtəʊ/
Meaning and origin of Otto
Root meaning: “wealth, riches”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
Borrowed from German Otto, from Old High German, short form of compound names (such as Otachar, Ottokar) beginning with Proto-West Germanic *aud, from Proto-Germanic *audaz (“wealth, riches”) (cognate of English Ed- in Edgar, Edmund, Edward, Edith, etc.).
How popular is Otto?
Since 1880, 100 girls and 39,915 boys in the U.S. have been named Otto (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1492 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #63 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #277 for boys, with 1,241 babies given the name.
Names similar to Otto
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Otto
Sister and brother names that share Otto's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Otto FAQ
What does the name Otto mean?
Otto traces back to a root meaning "wealth, riches". A male given name from the Germanic languages. Borrowed from German Otto, from Old High German, short form of compound names (such as Otachar, Ottokar) beginning with Proto-West Germanic *aud, from Proto-Germanic *audaz (“wealth, riches”) (cognate of English Ed- in Edgar, Edmund, Edward, Edith, etc.).
What is the origin of the name Otto?
Otto is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Otto?
Since 1880, 100 girls and 39,915 boys in the U.S. have been named Otto (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1492 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #63 in 1880. In 2025 it ranked #277 for boys, with 1,241 babies given the name.
Is Otto a boy or girl name?
Otto is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 100 girls and 39,915 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.