Diminutive of Charlotte, the French feminine form of Charles, from Old German meaning 'free person.'
Lotti is a diminutive of Charlotte, which is the French feminine form of Charles — itself derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or simply "man" in its oldest sense. Charlotte entered the English-speaking world primarily through royalty: it was the name of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III, and the name enjoyed significant eighteenth-century prestige on both sides of the Atlantic. The shortened forms Lottie and Lotti developed naturally as affectionate variants, carrying the warmth and intimacy of the nursery without losing the name's aristocratic undertones.
In German-speaking countries and Scandinavia, Lotti (and the related Lotta) has a longer independent history as a standalone name rather than merely a nickname. Astrid Lindgren, the beloved Swedish author of the Pippi Longstocking series, wrote a character named Lotta — a small, headstrong girl brimming with life — cementing the name's association in Scandinavian culture with energetic, lovable childhood. In the English-speaking world, Lottie and Lotti appear in Victorian literature as cozy, endearing names for spirited young girls.
Today, Lotti is experiencing a quiet revival as parents seek names that feel vintage without being heavy — names that carry genuine history but wear it lightly. It sits alongside Elspeth, Bette, and Ottilie in a category of names that feel simultaneously old-fashioned and fresh. The double-t gives it a bright, snappy energy on the page, and its two-syllable simplicity makes it easy to pair with longer surnames. It is a name that sounds like it belongs to someone cheerful, confident, and slightly unafraid of anything.