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Home › Baby Names Directory › Othello

Othello

♂ Boy

Pronounced oh-THEL-oh /oʊˈθɛl.oʊ/Medium

Meaning: A literary name (Shakespeare's tragic Moorish general) — likely an Italian diminutive of Otho/Otto, from Germanic od, 'wealth, prosperity'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Prosperous: Othello is Shakespeare's tragic hero — likely 'prosperous' (from Otto). Bold, dramatic, and warm (said 'oh-THEL-oh').
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Origin LowItalian, German
MeaningA literary name (Shakespeare's tragic Moorish general) — likely an Italian diminutive of Otho/Otto, from Germanic od, 'wealth, prosperity'; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#9476 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1923
Total births (all-time)≈ 687

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419132025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Othello is best known as the name of Shakespeare's noble, tragic hero — the Moorish general of Othello. The name is likely an Italian diminutive of Otho/Otto, from Germanic od, 'wealth, prosperity, fortune' (routes layered, which we note). A bold, dramatic literary name (said 'oh-THEL-oh'; nickname Otto).

It registers thinly in records. Rare, prosperous at the (likely) root, and dramatic.

Did you know? Othello is the name of Shakespeare's noble, tragic Moorish general — likely an Italian diminutive of Otho/Otto, from Germanic od, 'wealth, prosperity' — a bold, dramatic literary name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'oh-THEL-oh').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Othello — literary; routes layered

Variations

OtelloOthoOtto

Nicknames

Otto

Famous Bearers

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If you like Othello…

Otto— the likely root name
Orlando— a fellow dramatic Italian boys' name
Oberon— another literary boys' name
Dangelo— lands in the same popularity range
Danilo— shares Othello's Italian roots

Explore names like Othello

By themeuncertainitaliangermanliterary
By meaningWealth

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Othello mean?

Othello is Shakespeare's tragic hero; likely an Italian diminutive of Otto, 'prosperous'. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Othello?

It's said oh-THEL-oh /oʊˈθɛl.oʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Othello a boy or girl name?

Othello is a boy's name.

How popular is Othello?

Othello is a very rare name in the U.S.

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