Othello

Othello for boys#9476 US

The name has been appearing in the US stats since the early 20th-century and is given to a small handful of babies most years. The most recent count saw it given to 16 babies: the highest number in over a century. We've spotted at least one birth announcement for an Othello in 2026 saw far, with "Ottie" given as an everyday nickname.

The exact meaning of the name is unknown, as it may relate to a Roman family name of unknown origins (borne by emperor Marcus Salvius Otho), or to the Germanic Otto, Odo, or Odilio meaning "wealth, fortune" or "heritage", perhaps via the Greek form, Othon. Additionally, it could have been inspired by the Biblical Othniel, another name with uncertain etymology, though "strength of God" or "lion of God" are often suggested.

Othello for girls

While this name is very much tied to the Shakespearean tragedy, in which it is borne by a Moorish General, who is tricked and manipulated by the cunning Iago, it has been appearing in the US stats since at least the 20th-century, given to a small handful of boys most years. It has sporadically appeared in the rankings for girls too, though this may have been down to data-entry errors given that the last time it appeared in the data was 1930.