ottos

Ottos is the plural form of the given name Otto, used to refer collectively to people named Otto. The name Otto originates from Germanic roots and has been common in German-speaking regions and much of Central Europe since the early Middle Ages. It is typically linked to Old High German names containing the element aud- or od-, meaning wealth or fortune, and it gained prominence in royal and noble circles.

Historically, Ottos include several Holy Roman Emperors and kings. Otto I, the Great (c. 912–973), Otto II (955–983), Otto III (980–1002), and Otto IV (c. 1175–1218) were among the emperors who bore the name, contributing to the expansion of Germanic influence in Europe. The name was widely used among princes, bishops, and religious houses in medieval and early modern German-speaking territories.

In modern times, Ottos appear across many fields. Notable individuals named Otto include Otto von Bismarck, the 19th-century statesman who led German unification; Otto Frank, father of Anne Frank; Otto Hahn, chemist and Nobel laureate; Otto Lilienthal, aviation pioneer; Otto Dix, painter; and Otto Preminger, film director. The term Ottos in English-language writing simply denotes people with that name, rather than conveying a separate concept.