Othello
Every Othello since 1905 — 803 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Othello
Othello is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,476 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1905, 803 American babies have been named Othello — about 86% boys and 14% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1919, when 24 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Othello stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Othello year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 8 | #9,476 |
| 2024 | — | — | 16 | #5,835 |
| 2023 | — | — | 15 | #6,146 |
| 2022 | — | — | 15 | #6,072 |
| 2021 | — | — | 10 | #8,006 |
| 2020 | — | — | 12 | #6,927 |
| 2019 | — | — | 10 | #8,053 |
| 2018 | — | — | 8 | #9,438 |
| 2017 | — | — | 11 | #7,419 |
| 2016 | — | — | 10 | #8,007 |
| 2015 | — | — | 6 | #11,726 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 8 | #9,430 |
| 2012 | — | — | 6 | #11,882 |
| 2011 | — | — | 11 | #7,368 |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | 6 | #12,082 |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 6 | #11,981 |
| 2006 | — | — | 8 | #9,345 |
| 2005 | — | — | 9 | #8,129 |
| 2004 | — | — | 10 | #7,385 |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | 10 | #6,915 |
| 2001 | — | — | 7 | #8,974 |
| 2000 | — | — | 8 | #7,994 |
| 1995 | — | — | 5 | #9,903 |
| 1990 | — | — | 5 | #9,125 |
| 1985 | — | — | 6 | #6,309 |
| 1980 | — | — | 9 | #4,401 |
| 1975 | — | — | 9 | #3,859 |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | 7 | #3,417 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | 6 | #3,229 |
| 1940 | — | — | 5 | #3,813 |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | 8 | #3,587 | 8 | #3,223 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,831 | 12 | #2,552 |
| 1920 | 8 | #3,875 | 8 | #3,416 |
| 1915 | 6 | #4,147 | 8 | #3,004 |
| 1910 | 6 | #2,345 | — | — |
| 1905 | 5 | #2,159 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Othello
- Othello Hunter Basketball player · b. 1986
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Othello in 2025?
Othello ranked #9,476 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Othello?
803 babies have been named Othello in the United States since 1905, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Othello most popular?
Othello peaked in 1919, when 24 newborns received the name.
Is Othello a boy or girl name?
Othello is used for both: about 14% of babies named Othello have been girls and 86% boys.
Is the name Othello rising or falling?
Othello is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Othello?
Well-known people named Othello include Othello Hunter (basketball player).