Otha Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OH-tha /ˈoʊθə/
Origin: Hebrew; Native American
Meaning: Hebrew: 'wealth'; Native American: 'the one who is wise'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Otha has its roots in Old English, deriving from the word "ōþ," which means "wealth" or "prosperity." This term is linked to the Proto-Germanic *audaz, which also conveys the notion of fortune or riches. The name entered the English lexicon through the influence of Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon cultures, where it was used as a given name and occasionally as a surname.
The transition into modern English occurred as the language evolved through the Middle Ages, with various forms of the name appearing in historical texts. Historically, Otha is associated with various figures in medieval England, although specific records are sparse.
The name may have been borne by individuals in the Anglo-Saxon period, a time when names reflecting wealth and prosperity were valued. In the context of biblical and religious texts, the name does not appear prominently, but its roots in concepts of wealth resonate with the broader themes of prosperity found in many cultural narratives.
The name's usage can be traced back to the 19th century in some regions, where it was adopted by families seeking to convey a sense of richness in character or fortune. Culturally, Otha carries connotations of strength and success, reflecting the values of the societies that embraced it.
The name has been used in various forms, including diminutives like Othy, which may have emerged in familial or affectionate contexts. Its enduring nature can be attributed to the universal appeal of its meaning, as names associated with prosperity often hold a significant place in cultural traditions.
Overall, Otha encapsulates a historical legacy that intertwines linguistic roots with cultural significance, representing a blend of wealth and character.
Famous people named Otha
In this section, you will find notable people named Otha. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Otha who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Otha who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Otha Turner was a musician best known for his work in the genre of fife and drum music, particularly with the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band.
Otha 'O. J.' Simpson is a former professional American football player best known for his career with the Buffalo Bills and for winning the Heisman Trophy.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Otha, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Otha. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Otha was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Otha has ranked as high as #751 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama.
In the past 5 years the name Otha has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Otha is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Otha was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Otha (1986)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Otha.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1997 | 12 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1993 | 12 |
| 1992 | 11 |
| 1991 | 11 |
| 1990 | 18 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1987 | 19 |
| 1986 | 14 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1984 | 15 |
| 1983 | 22 |
| 1982 | 23 |
| 1981 | 25 |
| 1980 | 25 |
| 1979 | 24 |
| 1978 | 29 |
| 1977 | 27 |
| 1976 | 32 |
| 1975 | 27 |
| 1974 | 29 |
| 1973 | 24 |
| 1972 | 36 |
| 1971 | 38 |
| 1970 | 32 |
| 1969 | 56 |
| 1968 | 35 |
| 1967 | 33 |
| 1966 | 44 |
| 1965 | 49 |
| 1964 | 47 |
| 1963 | 48 |
| 1962 | 66 |
| 1961 | 62 |
| 1960 | 53 |
| 1959 | 45 |
| 1958 | 68 |
| 1957 | 74 |
| 1956 | 95 |
| 1955 | 83 |
| 1954 | 91 |
| 1953 | 96 |
| 1952 | 96 |
| 1951 | 97 |
| 1950 | 107 |
| 1949 | 111 |
| 1948 | 103 |
| 1947 | 115 |
| 1946 | 79 |
| 1945 | 106 |
| 1944 | 92 |
| 1943 | 100 |
| 1942 | 87 |
| 1941 | 88 |
| 1940 | 80 |
| 1939 | 95 |
| 1938 | 93 |
| 1937 | 87 |
| 1936 | 79 |
| 1935 | 89 |
| 1934 | 113 |
| 1933 | 90 |
| 1932 | 102 |
| 1931 | 108 |
| 1930 | 90 |
| 1929 | 115 |
| 1928 | 99 |
| 1927 | 114 |
| 1926 | 124 |
| 1925 | 120 |
| 1924 | 102 |
| 1923 | 104 |
| 1922 | 118 |
| 1921 | 136 |
| 1920 | 140 |
| 1919 | 114 |
| 1918 | 119 |
| 1917 | 131 |
| 1916 | 91 |
| 1915 | 108 |
| 1914 | 80 |
| 1913 | 78 |
| 1912 | 59 |
| 1911 | 31 |
| 1910 | 28 |
| 1909 | 32 |
| 1908 | 29 |
| 1907 | 27 |
| 1906 | 22 |
| 1905 | 22 |
| 1904 | 19 |
| 1903 | 16 |
| 1902 | 19 |
| 1901 | 15 |
| 1900 | 21 |
| 1899 | 17 |
| 1898 | 14 |
| 1897 | 12 |
| 1896 | 21 |
| 1895 | 14 |
| 1894 | 19 |
| 1893 | 9 |
| 1892 | 13 |
| 1891 | 13 |
| 1890 | 14 |
| 1889 | 11 |
| 1887 | 8 |
| 1886 | 10 |
| 1884 | 7 |
| 1883 | 13 |
| 1882 | 10 |
| 1881 | 6 |
| 1880 | 8 |