Othniel Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: oth-NEEL /ˈɔθ.ni.əl/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my strength
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Othniel has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the elements "ot" meaning "sign" or "mark" and "ni'el" which translates to "God is my strength." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges, where Othniel is recognized as the first judge of Israel, a significant figure who delivered the Israelites from oppression. The name was transliterated into Greek as "Othniel" and subsequently found its way into Latin texts, maintaining its form through the Middle Ages into Old French and finally into English.
Othniel's historical significance is anchored in biblical narratives, particularly in the context of Israelite history during the period of the judges, which is estimated to have occurred around the 12th century BCE. The character of Othniel is notable for his military prowess and leadership, as he is credited with defeating the king of Aram and bringing peace to Israel for a period of time.
His story is often cited in discussions of early Israelite leaders and the establishment of governance in ancient Israel, making the name emblematic of strength and divine support. Culturally, Othniel has resonated through various religious traditions, particularly within Judaism and Christianity, where biblical names often carry significant weight and are associated with moral and spiritual lessons.
The name embodies themes of divine assistance and leadership, which have contributed to its endurance in religious contexts. While diminutive forms of the name are not commonly noted, the full name Othniel itself has maintained a consistent presence in historical and religious texts, symbolizing a connection to faith and heritage.
Famous people named Othniel
In this section, you will find notable people named Othniel. 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 Othniel who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Othniel 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.
Othniel Charles Marsh was a paleontologist best known for his discoveries of dinosaur fossils and his rivalry with Edward Drinker Cope.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Othniel, 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 Othniel. 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 Othniel was first seen in the United States in 1924.
Othniel has ranked as high as #4710 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in Texas, New Jersey, New York, California, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Othniel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Othniel 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 Othniel was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Othniel.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47 | 47 |
| 2024 | 30 | 30 |
| 2023 | 36 | 36 |
| 2022 | 33 | 33 |
| 2021 | 42 | 42 |
| 2020 | 38 | 38 |
| 2019 | 56 | 56 |
| 2018 | 64 | 64 |
| 2017 | 44 | 44 |
| 2016 | 27 | 27 |
| 2015 | 31 | 31 |
| 2014 | 37 | 37 |
| 2013 | 24 | 24 |
| 2012 | 19 | 19 |
| 2011 | 12 | 12 |
| 2010 | 11 | 11 |
| 2009 | 11 | 11 |
| 2008 | 15 | 15 |
| 2007 | 14 | 14 |
| 2006 | 8 | 8 |
| 2005 | 8 | 8 |
| 2004 | 8 | 8 |
| 2003 | 13 | 13 |
| 2002 | 5 | 5 |
| 2001 | 7 | 7 |
| 1999 | 8 | 8 |
| 1998 | 6 | 6 |
| 1996 | 6 | 6 |
| 1995 | 6 | 6 |
| 1994 | 5 | 5 |
| 1992 | 6 | 6 |
| 1991 | 5 | 5 |
| 1986 | 7 | 7 |
| 1983 | 8 | 8 |
| 1981 | 7 | 7 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 |
| 1924 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Othniel (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |