Boy · English (from Germanic) · International
Otis
OtisSay it OH-tis
- Meaning today
- Wealthy, fortunate
- Original meaning
- "English surname from Ode, a form of Odo or Otto; Germanic aud-, "wealth, prosperity"" Online Etymology Dictionary
- Say it
- OH-tis
- Other spellings
- Ottis
Otis
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Otis meaning
Otis is an international boy's name of English origin (from Germanic).
English surname from Ode, a form of Odo or Otto; Germanic aud-, "wealth, prosperity"
Also used to mean: wealthy, fortunate
Otis is an English surname that became an American first name. It is usually explained as coming from Ode, a medieval form of the Germanic name Odo or Otto. The Online Etymology Dictionary traces Otto to a Germanic root aud-, 'wealth, prosperity', the same root found in Old English ead and in names such as Edward and Edith. Baby-name lists give 'wealthy', which fits that root, though the surname link has not been confirmed in a surname dictionary; a 'keen of hearing' reading on some sites has no support. Famous bearers include the soul singer Otis Redding. It is said OH-tis.
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com) · entry Otto · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Otto · Wikipedia, Otis (given name)
Famous namesakes
- Otis Redding, American soul singer
Popularity abroad
- #652 United States, boys 2025 (up 81 from 733 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #71 England and Wales, boys 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Otis · Ottis