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Otis Name Meaning, Origins & History

Otis

Pronunciation: OH-tis

Meaning Son of Otto Origin Germanic Gender Boy
BOYS RANK
#652
TREND
78
Peak Years
1920, 1924, 1921
Lowest Years
2003, 2004, 2002
Energy Archetype
Patient & Strong-Willed

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Otis in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Otis

  • A favorite of earlier generations: Otis appeared in the U.S. top 100 in 3 separate runs, totaling 3 years. Its last run lasted 1 consecutive years, from 1909 through 1909.
  • More than 61 thousand babies named Otis: U.S. records list 61,962 babies given the name Otis from 1880 through 2025. Even 887 girls received the name Otis - about 1 girl for every 69 boys.

What Does the Name Otis Mean?

Otis is an English surname and given name. It comes from the medieval English personal name Ote, a pet form of Otto. Otto is of Old High German origin and goes back to a Germanic element meaning "wealth" or "prosperity." The name is therefore commonly explained as "wealthy" or "prosperous." The surname Otis is patronymic in form, meaning "son of Ote" or "descendant of Ote." Some accounts connect Ote with the related Norman name Odo, which comes from the same Germanic root, so the exact immediate source is uncertain, but the meaning is the same.

Otis Name History & Origins

The surname Otis developed in medieval England from the personal name Ote. Like many English surnames, it was formed from a parent's given name, with a genitive or patronymic ending. The surname was established in England by the later Middle Ages and was brought to New England in the 17th century by John Otis, an early settler of Hingham, Massachusetts. His descendants include James Otis (1725 - 1783), the colonial lawyer and Patriot, and Mercy Otis Warren (1728 - 1814), the writer and historian.

As a given name, Otis is mainly an American development from the surname. It was in use by the 19th century; the actor Otis Skinner was born in 1858. The singer Otis Redding, born in 1941, is another well-known bearer. The surname is also familiar from the Otis Elevator Company, founded by Elisha Otis (1811 - 1861). Otis remains in use as a given name in the United States and other English-speaking countries.

How Popular is the Name Otis?

Otis recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 1920. The name enjoyed early prominence in the late 19th century before its sustained modern rise.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

Explore Name Lists Featuring Otis

Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.

Past Favorite Boy Names

Past Favorite Boy Names: Once-Popular Names

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How the Name Otis Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are patient, persevering and strong willed. You are a good student, absorbing knowledge easily and retaining it well. You are either a saint or a sinner. You tend to hold things inside and suffer in silence. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.

You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.

✦ Otis's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Otis's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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