Lotta Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LAH-tah /ˈlɒtə/
Origin: German; Scandinavian
Meaning: German: free woman; Scandinavian: little
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Lotta is derived from the Germanic name Charlotte, which itself is a diminutive form of Charles, originating from the Old High German name Karl, meaning "free man." The name Charlotte was introduced into English through the French form, which became popular in the 18th century. The transition from Charlotte to Lotta can be traced back to the 19th century, particularly in Scandinavian countries where Lotta emerged as an independent name, often used as a diminutive or affectionate form of Charlotte or other names ending in -lot or -lott.
Historically, the name Lotta has been associated with various cultural figures and literary works. In the 19th century, Lotta became more widely recognized due to its use in literature and theater.
Notably, Lotta was a character in the works of the Swedish author and playwright August Strindberg, who contributed to the name's cultural significance in Scandinavian literature. Additionally, the name has been borne by several notable figures, including Lotta Hitschmanova, a Canadian humanitarian and founder of the organization "Unitarian Service Committee of Canada," which further solidified its presence in historical contexts.
Culturally, Lotta has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing strength and independence, reflecting the meanings associated with its root name, Charles. In Scandinavian countries, Lotta has been used in folk songs and stories, reinforcing its connection to cultural identity and heritage.
The name's simplicity and melodic quality have contributed to its enduring appeal in various forms, including the diminutive Lottie, which has its own historical significance as a standalone name. Overall, Lotta represents a blend of historical roots and cultural resonance that has allowed it to persist through the centuries.
Famous people named Lotta
In this section, you will find notable people named Lotta. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Lotta who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Lotta who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Lotta Hitschmanova is a humanitarian and social activist best known for founding the Canadian organization Unitarian Service Committee.
Lotta Volkova is a fashion stylist best known for her work with brands like Vetements and Balenciaga.
Lotta Schelin is a retired footballer best known for playing with the Swedish national team and Olympique Lyonnais.
Fictional characters named Lotta
The following list of fictional characters named Lotta is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Lotta is a fictional character from the children's book series by Astrid Lindgren. She is a spirited young girl known for her adventurous nature and strong will.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lotta, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Lotta. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Lotta was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Lotta has ranked as high as #297 nationally, which occurred in 1883, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Lotta has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Lotta is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Lotta was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Lotta (1924)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Lotta.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1952 | 9 |
| 1946 | 5 |
| 1940 | 5 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1933 | 7 |
| 1930 | 6 |
| 1928 | 7 |
| 1926 | 5 |
| 1925 | 8 |
| 1924 | 11 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1921 | 11 |
| 1920 | 9 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1917 | 13 |
| 1916 | 6 |
| 1915 | 8 |
| 1914 | 10 |
| 1913 | 5 |
| 1912 | 6 |
| 1911 | 7 |
| 1910 | 5 |
| 1908 | 5 |
| 1906 | 8 |
| 1905 | 5 |
| 1904 | 5 |
| 1903 | 9 |
| 1902 | 8 |
| 1901 | 7 |
| 1900 | 10 |
| 1899 | 9 |
| 1898 | 5 |
| 1896 | 7 |
| 1895 | 7 |
| 1894 | 6 |
| 1893 | 9 |
| 1892 | 15 |
| 1891 | 13 |
| 1890 | 10 |
| 1889 | 12 |
| 1888 | 19 |
| 1887 | 16 |
| 1886 | 20 |
| 1885 | 20 |
| 1884 | 17 |
| 1883 | 25 |
| 1882 | 21 |
| 1881 | 16 |
| 1880 | 12 |