The first name Otis

In 2025, 726 boys were named Otis, making it the 71st most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2022, with 842 births (#68).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Otis with other names.

In 2025, 422 boys born in the United States were named Otis, the 652nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1920, when 1,031 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.

Nicknames for Otis

• Odie

• Otis Redding
  American singer and songwriter (1941–1967)
• Otis Davis
  American sprinter (1932–2024)
• Otis Rush
  American musician (1935–2018)
• Otis Harris
  American athletics competitor, born 1982
• Otis Spann
  American Chicago blues pianist (1930–1970)
• Otis Blackwell
  American songwriter (1931–2002)
• Otis Birdsong
  American basketball player (born 1955)
• Otis Barton
  American deep-sea diver, inventor, and actor (1899-1992)
• Otis Clay
  American R&B and soul singer (1942–2016)
• Otis Harlan
  American actor (1865-1940)
• Otis Thorpe
  American basketball player (born 1962)
• Otis Taylor
  American blues musician, born 1948

• Tyler
• Alfred
• Blake
• Grayson
• Stanley
• Tom
• Wyatt
• Miles
• Brandon
• Maxwell
• Landon
• Bradley
• Spencer
• Wesley
• Colton
• Hugh

All 216 names of English origin

What does the name Otis mean?

A patronymic surname derived from Middle English genitive case of the Germanic given name Ote, Ode, cognate to modern Otto.

What is the origin of the name Otis?

A patronymic surname derived from Middle English genitive case of the Germanic given name Ote, Ode, cognate to modern Otto.

How popular is the name Otis?

In 2025, 726 boys born in England and Wales were named Otis, ranking 71st. Its peak was 2022, with 842 births.

What are nicknames for Otis?

Common nicknames for Otis include Odie.

Is Otis a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 61,969 US babies named Otis since 1880 were boys.

When was Otis most popular?

1920 in the United States, when 1,031 babies were named Otis, its highest rank at 146th.

How do you pronounce Otis?

Otis is /ˈoʊtɪs/, 2 syllables.

Is Otis also a surname?

Yes. Otis is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.