Given name
Othniel
“God's lion”
Othniel is used as a given name. One Hebrew interpretation is “God's lion.” Its derivation is not certain.
Original Hebrewעתניאל
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Hebrew interpretation is “God's lion.” Its derivation is not certain.
Where it comes from
A possible origin is Hebrew, although the derivation remains uncertain.
How it developed
From the Hebrew verb 'atan (עתן), “to be exalted or violent like a lion.”
From biblical name research
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1924. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
In the Bible
In the Bible, the name Othniel appears in Judges 3:9-11, 1 Chronicles 27:15.
- Judges 3:9-11
- 1 Chronicles 27:15
From biblical name research
Othniel through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 715
- 715 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2018
- 64 babies
- 2025
- 47
- #2,746 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −18%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 47 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,746 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 17.9% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 64 in 2018. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 657 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Othniel’s family of names
Othniel has a related form in Othniele. Othniel has a related form in Othniell. Othniel has a related form in Othnielle.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 7
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
See also 3
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Othniel
- Othniel Charles MarshAmerican paleontologist (1831–1899)
- Othniel LookerFifth Governor of Ohio (1757-1845)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Othniel, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Ithiel
“God is with me”
>99% boys
Asriel
“God has filled with joy”
>99% boys
Oseias
Oseias is a masculine given name from Hebrew. It is used in Portuguese.
>99% boys
Hanniel
“God has been gracious”
>99% boys
Abimael
“God is father” · “a father is El”
>99% boys
Jahdiel
“God makes glad” · “God gives joy”
>99% boys
Jaaziel
“God strengthens”
98% boys · 2% girls
Jathniel
“God hires” · “perenniality of God”
>99% boys