Otis
Otis is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Wealthy or prosperous.
Origin and history
Otis is a masculine name of Germanic origin, derived from names beginning with the element 'ot', meaning wealth or fortune. It was long used as an English surname before becoming an established given name. Historically popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it has seen a recent modest revival in contemporary name choices.
Popularity in the United States
61,082 babies in the United States have been named Otis since 1880. It ranks #444 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #635.
States where it is most popular
- GA (10.1 %)
- TX (8.2 %)
- AL (6.8 %)
- NC (6.3 %)
- MS (6.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,006 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,349 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,966 |
| 1910-1920 | 6,963 |
| 1920-1930 | 9,352 |
| 1930-1940 | 7,456 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,654 |
| 1950-1960 | 7,285 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,955 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,553 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,237 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,367 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,028 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,414 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,497 |
Famous people named Otis
- Otis Redding: Singer, Songwriter
- Otis Thorpe: Basketball Player
Fun facts
- Otis originated as an English surname derived from the medieval given name Ode or Otto.
- Elisha Otis invented the safety device that prevented elevators from falling, giving rise to the famous Otis Elevator Company.
- Soul legend Otis Redding popularized the name globally through his iconic mid-20th-century music career.