The first name Othniel
A boy’s name from Hebrew meaning “god”.
Pronounced /ˈɒθ.niəl/ 2 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Hebrew origin
Othniel means “god” in Hebrew.
From Biblical Hebrew עָתְנִיאֵל (ʿOṯnīʾēl), of uncertain meaning but at any rate ending in אֵל (ʾēl, “God”).
More names that mean god.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 17 boys were named Othniel, making it the 1,538th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2024, with 25 births (#1,132).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Othniel with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Othniel at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 47 boys born in the United States were named Othniel, the 2,746th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2018, when 64 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Othniel
2 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Othniel Charles MarshAmerican paleontologist (1831–1899)
- Othniel LookerFifth Governor of Ohio (1757-1845)
More Hebrew boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Othniel mean?
- Othniel means “god” in Hebrew.
- What is the origin of the name Othniel?
- From Biblical Hebrew עָתְנִיאֵל (ʿOṯnīʾēl), of uncertain meaning but at any rate ending in אֵל (ʾēl, “God”).
- How popular is the name Othniel?
- In 2025, 17 boys born in England and Wales were named Othniel, ranking 1,538th. Its peak was 2024, with 25 births.
- Is Othniel a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 715 US babies named Othniel since 1880 were boys.
- When was Othniel most popular?
- 2018 in the United States, when 64 babies were named Othniel, its highest rank at 2,186th.
- How do you pronounce Othniel?
- Othniel is /ˈɒθ.niəl/, 2 syllables.