Otis is of German origin, derived from the Old Norse 'Otto', which means "wealth" or "prosperity". It was introduced to England by the Normans during the 11th century and has since become a popular choice for parents seeking a strong, distinctive name for their son. The name Otis gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, peaking at its highest usage in the late 1960s before decreasing slightly in recent years. However, it remains a widely recognized and respected name today.
Otis was quite popular in the early to mid-20th century, with a peak of 32 births in 1927. However, its popularity declined significantly after the 1940s, with less than 15 births per year from 1950 onwards. By the 1970s, it had become quite rare, with only 5 births recorded in 1976. Overall, there were a total of 887 babies named Otis between 1889 and 1976.