"wealthy, prosperous"
Origin: Old German
Language: English
Otis
Pronunciation: [ OHT-ihs ]
Does Otis flow with your last name?
Soul music, skyscrapers, and pure vintage cool
German
English
American
Vintage
Gender Neutral
Quirky
Strong
Retro Cool
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"fortune, riches"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- elevator company association
The Story of Otis
Otis is an anglicization of the Old German 'Otto' or 'Odo,' derived from 'od' meaning wealth, fortune, or prosperity. The name came to England with the Normans as 'Odo' and gradually transformed into Otis through generations of anglicization. While traditionally masculine, Otis is joining the wave of strong vintage names (like Harriet, Ellis, and Bea) finding new life on girls.
Otis is experiencing a vintage revival for both boys and girls. Its blues and soul associations through Otis Redding, combined with its crisp two-syllable sound, make it feel simultaneously retro and fresh. Using it for a girl is part of the broader movement of strong masculine vintage names crossing the gender boundary.
Otis Redding's soulful voice made this name synonymous with raw emotional depth in American music. Elisha Otis's safety elevator (1852) quite literally shaped modern cities — making Otis a name with transformative legacy in both art and industry.
Historical Record
Otis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 191 babies have been named Otis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Otis is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #49,052 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elisha Otis invented the safety elevator in 1852, making skyscrapers possible — the Otis Elevator Company still bears his name
- Otis Redding recorded '(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay' just three days before his death in 1967 — it became his only #1 hit
- The Norman conquerors who brought this name to England included Bishop Odo of Bayeux, half-brother of William the Conqueror
Otis in Other Languages
French
Odon
German
Otto
Italian
Ottone
Spanish
Otón
Old English
Odo
Popularity Over Time
#49,052
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Otis with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #49,052
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- German English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Oti
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Otis
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Otis is also used as a boy name, ranked #733.
View Otis as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (German)
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French origin
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Olah
Girl
Yoruba/African origin
"Wealth, honor"
#48,969 in US
Georgeanna
Girl
Hebrew origin
"grace, favor (from Anna)"
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English origin
"modern variant of Majella"
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Old English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Otis
What does the name Otis mean?
"wealthy, prosperous" (from Old German). "fortune, riches" (from Germanic). Otis is an anglicization of the Old German 'Otto' or 'Odo,' derived from 'od' meaning wealth, fortune, or prosperity. The name came to England with the Normans as 'Odo' and gradually transformed into Otis through generations of anglicization. While traditionally masculine, Otis is joining the wave of strong vintage names (like Harriet, Ellis, and Bea) finding new life on girls.
What is the origin of the name Otis?
Otis has Old German, Germanic, German, English, and American origins. In Old German, it means "wealthy, prosperous". In Germanic, it means "fortune, riches".
Is Otis a boy or girl name?
Otis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #49052. As a boy name, it is ranked #733. Otis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Otis?
Otis is pronounced OHT-ihs.
How popular is the name Otis?
Otis is currently ranked #49052 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Otis?
Common nicknames for Otis include Oti.
What are good middle names for Otis?
Popular middle name pairings include Otis Rose, Otis Mae, Otis June, Otis Lee, and Otis Belle.
What are good sibling names for Otis?
Names that pair well with Otis as siblings include Otto, Harriet, Bea, Clementine, and Ellis.
How many syllables does Otis have?
Otis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Otis a common or rare name?
Otis is an uncommon name, ranked #49052 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Otis?
About the Name Otis
Otis is a girl name with German, English, and American origins . The name means "wealthy, prosperous" in Old German .
Is Otis a boy or girl name? Otis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #49,052 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #733. Otis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Otis is currently ranked #49,052 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Otis has 2 syllables and is pronounced OHT-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Otis include Oti. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Recommended for Parents
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis