Ottilie is a feminine given name of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German words "ott" meaning "wealth", "prosperity", and "riches", and "ilia" which means "noble". Thus, Ottilie translates to "wealthy nobility".
The name Ottilie was popular among the German nobility during the Middle Ages and was often used as a female form of the male name Otto. It has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history, such as Ottilie von Faber-Castell (1857-1936), a member of the famous pencil-making family who was known for her philanthropic work.
Ottilie is not a particularly common name today, but it remains popular in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It has also gained some international recognition due to its use by notable figures such as Ottilie Modersohn (1863-1943), a German-American painter known for her landscapes and portraits.
Overall, Ottilie is an elegant and distinctive name with a rich history that harkens back to medieval Germany. Its meaning of "wealthy nobility" suggests prosperity, refinement, and sophistication. Despite its rarity today, Ottilie remains a unique and beautiful choice for parents looking for a name with a touch of European elegance.
The name Ottilie has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. While there were only a handful of babies named Ottilie each year from 1880 to around the 1930s, the number of births with this name began to pick up again in the late 20th century.
In 2009, six girls were named Ottilie, marking a significant jump from previous decades. This trend continued, with seven births in 2013, 13 in 2015, and 17 in 2016. The name reached its peak popularity so far in recent years in 2017 and 2018, with 27 babies named Ottilie each year.
The most recent data shows that this trend has continued into the 21st century, with 19 births in 2020, 25 in 2021, and a significant increase to 34 births in 2022. The most recent year for which data is available, 2023, saw an even more impressive number of 67 babies named Ottilie.
Overall, the name Ottilie has seen a steady increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States, with a total of 955 births recorded since 1880. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues and if more parents choose to give their daughters this unique and distinctive name in the coming years.