Otha
Every Otha since 1880 — 7,789 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Otha
Otha is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 7,789 American babies have been named Otha — about 82% boys and 18% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1921, when 180 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Otha stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Otha year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | 7 | #10,454 |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | 5 | #13,514 |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | 5 | #13,690 |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | 6 | #12,177 |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | 5 | #13,489 |
| 2005 | — | — | 6 | #11,104 |
| 2004 | — | — | 8 | #8,714 |
| 2003 | — | — | 9 | #7,675 |
| 2002 | — | — | 8 | #8,241 |
| 2001 | — | — | 10 | #6,796 |
| 2000 | — | — | 7 | #8,879 |
| 1995 | — | — | 15 | #4,216 |
| 1990 | — | — | 18 | #3,423 |
| 1985 | — | — | 15 | #3,174 |
| 1980 | — | — | 25 | #2,155 |
| 1975 | — | — | 27 | #1,818 |
| 1970 | — | — | 32 | #1,513 |
| 1965 | 5 | #7,238 | 49 | #1,062 |
| 1960 | 10 | #4,383 | 53 | #1,067 |
| 1955 | 13 | #3,336 | 83 | #806 |
| 1950 | 13 | #3,013 | 107 | #673 |
| 1945 | 14 | #2,424 | 106 | #590 |
| 1940 | 26 | #1,543 | 80 | #679 |
| 1935 | 22 | #1,649 | 89 | #626 |
| 1930 | 31 | #1,396 | 90 | #650 |
| 1925 | 40 | #1,248 | 120 | #568 |
| 1920 | 34 | #1,371 | 140 | #518 |
| 1915 | 34 | #1,184 | 108 | #538 |
| 1910 | 11 | #1,495 | 28 | #544 |
| 1905 | 14 | #1,049 | 22 | #490 |
| 1900 | 12 | #1,155 | 21 | #527 |
| 1895 | 8 | #1,273 | 14 | #575 |
| 1890 | 8 | #1,076 | 14 | #529 |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | 8 | #727 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Otha in 2025?
Otha did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Otha?
7,789 babies have been named Otha in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Otha most popular?
Otha peaked in 1921, when 180 newborns received the name.
Is Otha a boy or girl name?
Otha is used for both: about 18% of babies named Otha have been girls and 82% boys.
Is the name Otha rising or falling?
Otha is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.