Meaning & Origin
A taxonomic genus within the family Otididae – great bustard.
Otis is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, an Anglicization of the Germanic name Otto or from the Old German Ode meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune.' Elisha Otis, inventor of the safety elevator in 1852, gave the name an American industrial legacy — his elevators helped build the modern skyscraper city.
With over 60,000 U.S. births, Otis has extraordinary staying power. Soul legend Otis Redding gave it the warmth of '(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay.' It is currently in a strong vintage revival — sitting alongside Felix, Oscar, and August as a name with nostalgic charm and genuine American character.