Othello, of Italian origin, is a historic and literary name that has left an indelible mark on culture. Meaning "great" or "noble," it was first used as a Christian given name in the Middle Ages, derived from the Latin 'Otho' and 'ellus.' The name gained significant prominence through William Shakespeare's tragic play, 'Othello: The Moor of Venice,' written around 1603. In this classic work, Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, is the titular character, adding depth and intrigue to an already richly meaningful name.
The name Othello experienced fluctuating popularity from 1905 to 1930, with peaks in the early teens and late twenties.