Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Otis
BoyEnglish, Germanic· “wealth”
- Meaning
- wealth
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- OH-tihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #652
- US babies 2025
- 422
- Best rank
- #94 (1899)
- Peak year
- 1920
Meaning and origin of Otis
Otis is an English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “wealth”.
Otis comes from an English surname that grew out of the medieval given name Ode or Otto, from a Germanic element usually meaning wealth or fortune. It became a given name in the United States, where it was especially common in the late nineteenth century. Famous bearers include the soul singer Otis Redding, and the Otis Elevator Company is named for its founder, Elisha Otis. After a period of feeling old-fashioned, Otis has returned as a vintage favorite. It has a friendly, slightly quirky charm, and it pairs well with classic middle names.
Popularity over time
Otis has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 126 different years. Its best national rank was #94 in 1899, and the most babies received it in 1920, when 1,031 were named Otis. In 2025, 422 babies were named Otis, and it ranked #652 nationally. That is 59% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #146 in 1920, #221 in 1950, #492 in 1980, #1,330 in 2000, #1,381 in 2010, and #652 in 2025. Of the 61,082 US boys named Otis since records began, 15% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 7,654 babies. Since 2010, 4,911 more have been named Otis.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Orville, Ervin, Sylvester, Wilfred, and Elbert.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Otis ranked highest in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Wisconsin.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #306 | 19 |
| Colorado | #340 | 19 |
| Wisconsin | #368 | 15 |
| Washington | #417 | 18 |
| Oregon | #431 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Otis is usually pronounced OH-tihs, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with O and ends in “-is”.
Middle names for Otis
A few middle names that flow with Otis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Otis
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Lists that include Otis
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Otis mean?
Otis is an English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “wealth”.
What is the origin of the name Otis?
Otis has English and Germanic roots. Otis comes from an English surname that grew out of the medieval given name Ode or Otto, from a Germanic element usually meaning wealth or fortune.
Is Otis a popular name?
Yes. Otis ranked #652 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Otis a boy or girl name?
Otis is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Otis?
Otis is usually pronounced OH-tihs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings