Lothario is a male given name of Italian origin. It is derived from the name Lotharius, which was borne by several medieval kings and saints. The name Lotharius is believed to be composed of two elements: "Hlud," meaning "famous" or "renowned," and "-ric," meaning "power." Therefore, Lothario could be interpreted as meaning "famous ruler."
The name Lotharius was first used by the Carolingian dynasty, which ruled much of Western Europe during the 9th century. The most famous bearer of this name was Lotharius I, also known as Lothar I, who was the son of Charlemagne and became king of Italy in 818. He later became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 843.
The name Lothario continued to be used throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. It is also associated with the legendary figure Lothario dei Lombardi, a 9th-century Italian nobleman who was said to have been betrayed by his wife and subsequently murdered by her lover. This story inspired several works of literature, including Torquato Tasso's epic poem "Jerusalem Delivered" (1580).
In popular culture, Lothario has come to be associated with the idea of a charming and deceitful seducer. This association may have arisen from Giovanni Boccaccio's 14th-century tale "The Decameron," which features a character named Giotto di Ligurco who is known for his womanizing ways.
Overall, Lothario is an interesting and historic name with Italian origins that has evolved over centuries to acquire various meanings and associations.
The name Lothario has not been a popular choice for newborns in the United States, with only six babies being named Lothario in the year 1965. This is based on data from the Social Security Administration's records of births and names from that time period. It's important to note that this low number could be due to several factors such as cultural trends, personal preferences, or simply the rarity of the name itself. However, it does show that Lothario was not a common choice for parents naming their children in 1965. Despite its uniqueness, it's always interesting to see how names trend over time and across different cultures.