Ottilia Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: oh-TIL-ee-uh /oʊˈtɪl.i.ə/
Origin: German; Latin
Meaning: German: prosperous; Latin: wealthy
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ottilia has its roots in the Germanic elements "od" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "hild" meaning "battle." It is derived from the Old High German name "Odilia," which was later Latinized as "Ottilia". The name made its way into English through the influence of the Normans, who brought it to England in the 11th century.
The transition from its Germanic origins to its current form reflects the linguistic shifts that occurred as the Germanic tribes interacted with Latin and Old French during the medieval period. Historically, Ottilia is associated with St.
Odilia, a 7th-century abbess and the patron saint of the visually impaired, who is venerated particularly in Alsace, France. Her life and legacy contributed to the name's spread in Christian contexts, especially in regions influenced by her cult.
The name appears in various historical texts and records, particularly in medieval hagiographies, which document the lives of saints and their impact on local cultures. The name's association with nobility and religious figures helped solidify its place in various European traditions.
Culturally, Ottilia has been embraced in various forms across Europe, often symbolizing strength and resilience due to its etymological roots in battle and fortune. The name has been used in literature and art, reflecting themes of nobility and virtue.
In some cultures, diminutive forms such as "Tilly" have emerged, though these variations often carry their own distinct cultural significance. Overall, Ottilia's historical and cultural resonance illustrates its enduring appeal through centuries.
Famous people named Ottilia
In this section, you will find notable people named Ottilia. 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 Ottilia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Ottilia 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.
Ottilia B. B. K. H. M. J. van der Molen is a Dutch artist best known for her contemporary paintings and installations.
Ottilia M. M. B. is a Polish scientist best known for her research in molecular biology and genetics.
Fictional characters named Ottilia
The following list of fictional characters named Ottilia 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.
Ottilia is a fictional character from the novel Theodor Fontane's Effi Briest. She is a close friend of the protagonist, Effi, and plays a significant role in the exploration of societal norms and personal relationships in 19th-century Germany.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ottilia, 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 Ottilia. 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 Ottilia was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Ottilia has ranked as high as #357 nationally, which occurred in 1891, and has been most popular in North Dakota.
In the past 5 years the name Ottilia has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ottilia 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 Ottilia was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ottilia (1919)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ND | 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 Ottilia.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1930 | 5 |
| 1929 | 9 |
| 1928 | 6 |
| 1926 | 5 |
| 1925 | 8 |
| 1924 | 9 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1922 | 13 |
| 1921 | 10 |
| 1920 | 8 |
| 1919 | 19 |
| 1918 | 15 |
| 1917 | 13 |
| 1916 | 14 |
| 1915 | 11 |
| 1914 | 12 |
| 1913 | 11 |
| 1912 | 13 |
| 1911 | 5 |
| 1910 | 10 |
| 1909 | 8 |
| 1908 | 10 |
| 1907 | 8 |
| 1905 | 7 |
| 1904 | 11 |
| 1903 | 9 |
| 1902 | 10 |
| 1901 | 10 |
| 1900 | 8 |
| 1899 | 12 |
| 1898 | 16 |
| 1897 | 13 |
| 1896 | 12 |
| 1895 | 16 |
| 1894 | 14 |
| 1893 | 13 |
| 1892 | 13 |
| 1891 | 22 |
| 1890 | 11 |
| 1889 | 11 |
| 1888 | 8 |
| 1887 | 8 |
| 1886 | 11 |
| 1885 | 11 |
| 1884 | 9 |
| 1883 | 6 |
| 1881 | 5 |
| 1880 | 5 |