Otis

At a Glance

Meaning

A patronymic meaning 'son of Ote/Ode', a name cognate with Otto

Origin

English (patronymic surname, from a Germanic given name)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

OH-tisListen

Otis (pronounced OH-tis) is an English patronymic name meaning 'son of Ote/Ode,' cognate with Otto. It's a boy's name with a clean, modern, vintage feel. You may come across a claim that Otis is Greek for 'keen of hearing' — that's not accurate; the name's roots trace instead to this English patronymic origin.

Meaning & Origin of Otis

Meaning: A patronymic meaning 'son of Ote/Ode', a name cognate with Otto.

Origin: English (patronymic surname, from a Germanic given name).

A common claim: Otis is sometimes claimed to be a Greek name meaning 'keen of hearing.' Actually: That Greek derivation isn't supported here — Otis is actually an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Ote/Ode,' cognate with Otto.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Otis

Popularity of Otis

Otis peaked at #94 in 1899, when 185 baby boys were given the name. By 2024 it had settled at #730, with a count of 358, according to Social Security Administration data spanning 1880 to 2024.

Names Like Otis

These names share Otis’s style, era or origin.

• Alder
• Anson
• Ashon
• Birch
• Cason
• Cedar

FAQ

What does the name Otis mean?

A patronymic meaning ‘son of Ote/Ode’, a name cognate with Otto. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Otis?

Otis is pronounced OH-tis (IPA: /ˈoʊtɪs/).

Is Otis a popular name right now?

Otis peaked at #94 in 1899 and is ranked #730 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Otis Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Otis, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.