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

Otis is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 887 recorded births.

When was Otis most popular?

Otis reached its peak popularity in 1920 with 1,031 births that year. It is currently ranked #730 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Otis?

Otis is currently ranked #730 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 60,653 babies since 1880.

Otis

A familiar Old English name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name

#730▼ 76in 2024

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.

Compare Otis with another name

Popularity Over Time

Otis climbed 896 spots in the last 20 years — from #1626 to #730.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Otis
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	2,071	#659	▼
2010s	2,412	#951	▲
2000s	1,028	#1434	▼
1990s	1,367	#996	▼
1980s	2,237	#599	▼
1970s	3,552	#428	▼
1960s	4,955	#349	▼
1950s	7,285	#264	—
1940s	7,654	#209	▲
1930s	7,456	#181	▼
1920s	9,352	#161	▲
1910s	6,963	#136	▲
1900s	1,966	#113	▲
1890s	1,349	#122	▲
1880s	1,006	#137	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Otis
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	358	#730	-60 (-14.4%)
2023	418	#654	-37 (-8.1%)
2022	455	#615	+28 (6.6%)
2021	427	#647	+14 (3.4%)
2020	413	#648	+62 (17.7%)
2019	351	#706	+27 (8.3%)
2018	324	#737	+5 (1.6%)
2017	319	#744	-5 (-1.5%)
2016	324	#752	+58 (21.8%)
2015	266	#845	+63 (31.0%)
2014	203	#1010	+26 (14.7%)
2013	177	#1064	-5 (-2.7%)
2012	182	#1051	+38 (26.4%)
2011	144	#1217	+22 (18.0%)
2010	122	#1381	-9 (-6.9%)
2009	131	#1328	+11 (9.2%)
2008	120	#1412	+8 (7.1%)
2007	112	#1442	+5 (4.7%)
2006	107	#1450	+1 (0.9%)
2005	106	#1408	+26 (32.5%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Otis as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Otis has also been given to 887 girls in the U.S. since 1889.

Unranked

Current rank

887

Total births

1927

Peak year

Compare Otis as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Otis be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Otis is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #730. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Otis has two lives

Otis, the baby name

#730boys

60,653 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology