Declining since 2018, #2,718 for boys today.
Popularity of Othniel since 1924
Babies named Othniel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 22 |
| 1990s | 42 |
| 2000s | 89 |
| 2010s | 325 |
| 2020s | 226 |
Meaning & origin
Othniel is a biblical name with a strong meaning and ancient pedigree, yet it has never entered the mainstream in the United States. First recorded in U.S. data in 1924, the name peaked in 2018, but usage has been falling since that year. In 2025, it ranked 2718, given to roughly 1 in every 36342 boys. The name is most common in California, its top state. Othniel remains a rare but recognizable choice for parents seeking a distinctive Old Testament name.
Othniel is a Hebrew name from Old Testament tradition, derived from the elements 'oth' (strength) and 'El' (God). In the Bible, Othniel was the first of the Judges of Israel, who delivered the Israelites from oppression. The name has been used among Jewish and Christian communities but has remained rare in English-speaking countries.
Where Othniel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Othniel” around the world
Where Othniel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Oth, Neil
Variants: Otniel
Sibling names for Othniel
Names that share Othniel's style, for a brother or sister.
