Othello: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#9,476

among boys · ↓3,641 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Othello

How common

1 in 213,510

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1919

24 babies

All-time total

803

#6,521 all-time among boys

First recorded

1905

in Social Security records

Othello popularity over time

803 babies have been named Othello since 1905, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	11	–	11	1	–	–
1910s	50	69	119	12	+982%	#1,843
1920s	47	91	138	14	+16%	#2,095
1930s	8	41	49	5	-64%	#2,605
1940s	–	65	65	7	+33%	#2,240
1950s	–	54	54	5	-17%	#2,974
1960s	–	40	40	4	-26%	#2,743
1970s	–	47	47	5	+18%	#3,859
1980s	–	29	29	3	-38%	#4,401
1990s	–	41	41	4	+41%	#5,979
2000s	–	64	64	6	+56%	#6,915
2010s	–	70	70	7	+9%	#7,368
2020s (to 2025)	–	76	76	13	+81%	#5,835

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.

How old are people named Othello?

The median living Othello is about 28 years old; half are between 9 and 59. An estimated 400 people named Othello are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Othello Hunter American-Liberian professional basketball player b. 1986 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Othello, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Othello?

The median living Othello is about 28 years old. Half of all living Othellos are between 9 and 59 years old.

How many people named Othello are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Othello are alive in the United States, based on 803 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like Othello

Names that sound and feel close to Othello: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Othello with similar names → More names starting with O →