Otello
A masculine name of Italian origin derived from the name Othello, the lead character in Shakespeare's play.
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Otello. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Otello today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Otello births was 1929 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Otello. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Otello. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1929
6 babies that year
Average age
-
1929 SSA rank
#3,848
Tracked since 1929
Popularity
Otello: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Otello by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Otello during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Otello
The name Otello is derived from the Italian form of the German name Odilo or Otto. It has its roots in the Old Germanic words "od" meaning wealth or fortune, and "hild" meaning battle or combat. Therefore, Otello can be interpreted as "prosperous in battle" or "fortunate warrior."
The name gained widespread recognition through the Shakespearean tragedy "Othello," written in the early 17th century. In the play, Othello is a Moorish general who falls victim to the manipulations of his ensign, Iago. Although the play is set in Venice, the name's origins can be traced back to Germanic roots.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Otello can be found in the 10th century, referring to a Frankish nobleman named Otello di Lomello. He was a prominent figure in the court of Emperor Otto I and played a significant role in the political affairs of the time.
In the 12th century, an Italian monk named Otello da Pisa gained recognition for his contributions to the Crusades. He participated in the Third Crusade and documented his experiences in a chronicle, providing valuable insights into the events of that era.
During the Renaissance period, Otello Rossi (1570-1630) was an Italian painter known for his religious works and portraits. His paintings can be found in various churches and galleries across Italy, showcasing the artistic talent associated with the name Otello.
In the 19th century, Otello Torboli (1853-1920) was an Italian sculptor renowned for his realistic depictions of human figures. His works adorned public spaces and museums, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.
Another notable figure was Otello Profazi (1889-1949), an Italian aviator and World War I fighter pilot. He was awarded multiple military honors for his bravery and skill in aerial combat, embodying the warrior spirit associated with the name Otello.
These historical examples demonstrate the rich cultural heritage and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have carried the name Otello throughout the centuries, reflecting its Germanic roots and Italian influence.
People
Otello + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Otello as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with O
Other first names starting with O with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Otello: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Otello?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Otello going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about - US residents.
Is Otello a common name?
We classify Otello as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Otello most popular?
The single biggest year for Otello was 1929, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Otello is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Otello in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Otello a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Otello in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Otello still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Otello in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Otello can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Otello?
You can see how many people have the name Otello on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.