Lothar is a unique and distinctive given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old High German elements "hlaud" meaning "famous" or "renowned," and "hari" which means "army" or "warrior." Thus, Lothar translates to "famous warrior" or "renowned in war."
The name Lothar has a rich historical background, particularly in medieval Europe. It was borne by several prominent figures, including:
1. Lothar I (795-855 AD): Also known as Lothar of France, he was the son of Emperor Louis I the Pious and became King of Italy in 839.
2. Lothar II (940-986 AD): He was a French king who ruled over Lotharingia, a medieval kingdom that encompassed parts of present-day France, Germany, and Belgium.
Despite its historical significance and unique meaning, Lothar remains relatively rare today as a given name. It is more commonly encountered in certain European countries where it has been used historically, such as France and Germany, but it is not widespread internationally.
The name Lothar has been used inconsistently over the years in the United States, with a total of 68 babies given this name between 1927 and 1968. The name's popularity peaked in 1929 with 10 births that year. However, after that peak, the number of births with the name Lothar began to decline, reaching a low point in 1959 with only 5 births. Despite this decline, there were still babies named Lothar born each year between 1956 and 1968, indicating that while it may not have been a common choice, some parents still chose this name for their children during those years.