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Otto

Boy name · 110 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Otto: 110 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 20 births in 2025.

Otto is a strong Germanic name, rooted in the Old High German words *odo* or *ot* meaning “wealth” or “prosperity.” It was the name of several Holy Roman Emperors, including Otto the Great, who helped shape medieval Europe, and later of Otto von Bismarck, the unifier of modern Germany. Otto Hahn, the Nobel Prize-winning chemist who discovered nuclear fission, is another notable bearer. The name has left its mark on maps too: Bismarck, North Dakota, was named for the chancellor. A softer variant, Otis, shares the same rich meaning, while in popular culture, the name gained a playful edge through the character Otto from *The Simpsons*. Despite its ancient roots, Otto remains a concise, dignified choice that parents in Scotland and beyond continue to appreciate.