Lotta

Often used as a short form of Charlotte, with broader associations following that tradition.

Lotta is a feminine given name that’s particularly familiar in German-language usage and has also become recognizable more widely. It’s short, easy to read, and typically pronounced in two syllables, which makes it practical in everyday life. Many people encounter it as a standalone first name, even though it’s also commonly understood as a familiar short form in a longer naming tradition. From an origin and etymology standpoint, Lotta is often treated as a short form of Charlotte in German usage. Because Charlotte belongs to the Charles/Carolus family of names, meaning notes for Lotta are often carried through from that broader tradition rather than being claimed as a separate literal meaning for Lotta itself. Different sources may emphasize different steps in that pathway, but the short-form relationship is the most common framing. In English, pronunciation is often LOT-uh. A practical tip is that some languages keep the final -a more open (LOT-ah), so if you’re using the name in a multilingual environment, it can help to say it once clearly and accept small vowel differences as normal variation.

Etymology: Commonly used in German-language contexts as a familiar short form of Charlotte. Through Charlotte, it’s ultimately linked to the Charles/Carolus name family; the “literal” meaning is usually given via that longer tradition rather than Lotta itself.