The nameOtis
Otis is an English surname from the medieval name Ode, "wealth". It has become fashionable in England and Wales.
- Boy's name
- English
Meaning
Otis comes from Ode or Otto, from the Germanic od, "wealth, fortune".
Origin
English, from a surname.
History
Elisha Otis, inventor of the safety elevator, and the soul singer Otis Redding made the name famous. In England and Wales it reached 67th place in 2024. Otis Milburn, hero of the series Sex Education, also helped.
Did you know?
- Otis Redding's (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, released after his death in 1967, was the first posthumous number one single in the United States.
Famous people named Otis
- Otis Redding, singer
- Otis Spann, blues pianist
Popularity of the name Otis
Otis in the United States
Otis was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 9,551 births over the decade, 16% of all recorded babies named Otis. Half of all babies named Otis in the United States were born before 1942, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 414 births a year on average, against 317 in the five years before.
Otis in the United Kingdom
Otis was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 4,629 births over the decade, 63% of all recorded babies named Otis. Its rise began around 2009, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Otis in the United Kingdom were born before 2021, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 799 births a year on average, against 389 in the five years before.
Otis in Belgium
Sibling names for Otis
Names from the same generation as Otis, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Otis? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Otis with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Otis side by side with the name of your choice.
Otis in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Otis mean?
Otis comes from Ode or Otto, from the Germanic od, "wealth, fortune".
What is the origin of the name Otis?
English, from a surname.
Is Otis a girl's or a boy's name?
Otis is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Otis?
In 2024, Otis was the 732nd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 358 births.
What are good sibling names for Otis?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Mae, Harriet, Ramona and Imogen for a sister, Ollie, Louie, Clyde and Jenson for a brother.
Who are famous people named Otis?
Otis Redding, singer; Otis Spann, blues pianist.