Otis Boy

Popularity: #559 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OH-tis //ˈoʊ.tɪs//

Origin: Greek; English

Meaning: Greek: wealth; English: son of Otto

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Otis has its roots in the Germanic language, derived from the Old High German name "Audo," which means "wealth" or "fortune." This name evolved through various forms, including the Old French "Otes," before making its way into English. The transition into English likely occurred during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names were adopted into the English lexicon.

The name Otis is often considered a diminutive or derivative of names like "Otto," which also has Germanic origins and carries similar meanings related to prosperity and wealth. Historically, the name Otis gained prominence in the United States during the 19th century, particularly due to notable figures such as Elisha Otis, who invented the safety elevator in the 1850s.

His contributions to engineering and architecture helped shape urban landscapes, and his name became synonymous with safety in vertical transportation. The name's association with innovation and progress contributed to its recognition during this period.

Additionally, Otis has been borne by various prominent individuals in American history, including politicians and artists, further embedding it into the cultural fabric. Culturally, Otis has been embraced in literature and music, often symbolizing strength and resilience.

The name appears in various works, including the writings of American authors and in the titles of songs, which have helped to maintain its relevance over time. The name's simplicity and strong phonetic quality have allowed it to resonate across different contexts, making it a lasting choice in various cultural narratives.

Overall, Otis embodies a blend of historical significance and cultural resonance, reflecting themes of prosperity and innovation.

Famous people named Otis

In this section, you will find notable people named Otis. 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 Otis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Otis 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.

Otis Redding is a singer and songwriter best known for (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, Try a Little Tenderness, and I've Been Loving You Too Long.

Otis Rush is a blues musician best known for I Can't Quit You Baby, All Your Love (I Miss Loving), and Double Trouble.

Otis Williams is a singer best known as a founding member of The Temptations and for hits like My Girl and Ain't Too Proud to Beg.

Otis Taylor is a musician and songwriter best known for his work in the blues genre and albums like White African and Recapturing the Banjo.

Fictional characters named Otis

The following list of fictional characters named Otis is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Otis is a fictional character from the animated film Barnyard. He is a carefree and fun-loving cow who often leads his friends into mischief.

Otis is a fictional character from the comic book series The Otis and the Daring Adventures. They are a brave and adventurous character who embarks on various quests and challenges.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Otis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

OwenOscarOliverOmarOrenOphelia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Otis. 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.

OttoOdisOrenOrsonOthelloOdinOllieOmar

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Otis was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Otis has ranked as high as #337 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Georgia, Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, and Mississippi.

In the past 5 years the name Otis has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Otis 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 Otis 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 Otis.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 422 422 0
2024 359 359 0
2023 420 420 0
2022 456 456 0
2021 427 427 0
2020 413 413 0
2019 351 351 0
2018 325 325 0
2017 319 319 0
2016 324 324 0
2015 266 266 0
2014 203 203 0
2013 177 177 0
2012 183 183 0
2011 144 144 0
2010 122 122 0
2009 131 131 0
2008 120 120 0
2007 112 112 0
2006 107 107 0
2005 106 106 0
2004 80 80 0
2003 78 78 0
2002 82 82 0
2001 115 115 0
2000 97 97 0
1999 84 84 0
1998 104 104 0
1997 111 111 0
1996 115 115 0
1995 114 114 0
1994 138 138 0
1993 149 149 0
1992 155 155 0
1991 184 184 0
1990 213 213 0
1989 193 193 0
1988 192 192 0
1987 194 194 0
1986 213 213 0
1985 203 203 0
1984 218 218 0
1983 205 205 0
1982 254 254 0
1981 269 269 0
1980 296 296 0
1979 329 329 0
1978 297 297 0
1977 302 302 0
1976 329 324 5
1975 330 330 0
1974 309 309 0
1973 380 371 9
1972 385 379 6
1971 423 416 7
1970 505 496 9
1969 538 532 6
1968 506 497 9
1967 421 414 7
1966 427 421 6
1965 472 472 0
1964 545 532 13
1963 517 510 7
1962 486 477 9
1961 559 544 15
1960 565 556 9
1959 622 617 5
1958 668 662 6
1957 668 662 6
1956 719 706 13
1955 733 721 12
1954 757 751 6
1953 773 767 6
1952 757 748 9
1951 820 820 0
1950 842 831 11
1949 829 817 12
1948 856 845 11
1947 886 870 16
1946 795 781 14
1945 717 706 11
1944 768 759 9
1943 755 742 13
1942 747 737 10
1941 745 736 9
1940 667 661 6
1939 739 730 9
1938 727 718 9
1937 696 681 15
1936 710 699 11
1935 743 730 13
1934 784 769 15
1933 770 756 14
1932 826 812 14
1931 745 730 15
1930 846 831 15
1929 813 796 17
1928 902 884 18
1927 933 901 32
1926 894 878 16
1925 972 958 14
1924 1,029 1,011 18
1923 917 904 13
1922 1,007 988 19
1921 1,028 1,001 27
1920 1,056 1,031 25
1919 950 931 19
1918 945 936 9
1917 926 912 14
1916 930 908 22
1915 917 901 16
1914 722 709 13
1913 571 557 14
1912 535 522 13
1911 311 302 9
1910 304 285 19
1909 276 267 9
1908 251 243 8
1907 206 199 7
1906 191 184 7
1905 221 216 5
1904 187 181 6
1903 173 168 5
1902 179 169 10
1901 127 127 0
1900 227 212 15
1899 192 185 7
1898 187 179 8
1897 142 133 9
1896 124 124 0
1895 133 133 0
1894 129 129 0
1893 124 124 0
1892 133 126 7
1891 97 97 0
1890 119 119 0
1889 121 116 5
1888 116 116 0
1887 97 97 0
1886 99 99 0
1885 89 89 0
1884 107 107 0
1883 89 89 0
1882 116 116 0
1881 89 89 0
1880 88 88 0

Top States for Otis (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
CA 49
16%
TX 19
6%
WA 19
6%
NY 19
6%
CO 17
6%
OH 14
5%
PA 13
4%
MN 13
4%
IN 13
4%
OR 12
4%
IL 12
4%
MA 11
4%
MI 11
4%
FL 11
4%
NC 10
3%
MO 9
3%
WI 9
3%
AZ 7
2%
UT 7
2%
KS 6
2%
KY 6
2%
ID 5
2%
MT 5
2%