Cotta is the name of a well-known publishing house of 19th century Germany, primarily developed by businessperson Johann Friedrich Cotta (1764-1832).
Cotta is a surname:
- Aurelia Cotta (120-54 BC) was the mother of Julius Caesar.
- Bernhard von Cotta (1808-1879) was a German geologist.
- Gaius Aurelius Cotta (ca. 124-73 BC) was an ancient Roman statesman and orator.
- Johann Friedrich Cotta (mentioned above) was a German publisher, industrial pioneer and politician.
- Heinrich Cotta (1763-1844) was a German silviculturist.
- John Cotta (1575-1650) was an English physician.
- Lucius Aurelius Cotta (active 70 BC) was an ancient Roman senator.
- Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta (d. 54 BC) was an officer in the Gallic army of Julius Caesar.
In clothing, cotta is also:
- A Medieval Latin and Italian term for surplice, an ecclesiastical garment.
- A lightweight underdress in Italian 15th century fashion