Origin: |
Ottilie is the modern German form of Odilia, itself the feminine form of Odo (Otto) which derives from either the Old German uod "wealth, riches, prosperity" or uodal "homeland, heritage, homestead". In Germany, the name is pronounced o-TEE-lee-ə but in Britain has long been used in the anglicised pronunciation OT-i-lee. The homophone surname Ottely is a variant of Otley derived from places of the same name in West Yorkshire and Suffolk meaning "Otta's clearing." Otta itself was a short form of the Anglo-Saxon Othere (cognate with the Old Norse Ottar) composed of otti "fear, dread, danger" and herr "army." |
Usage: |
The masculine form Odo was a common name in Medieval Europe, borne by several kings and nobles, and was brought over to Britain by the Normans, giving us surnames like Oddie and Oates. Odilia was born by two notable early medieval saints, both patronesses of good eyesight. Saint Odilia of Cologne was one of the maiden companions of St Ursula, and Saint Odilia of Alsace (c. 662 - c. 720) was the blind daughter of the Duke of Alsace whose sight was miraculously recovered during her baptism. The latter in particular was popularly venerated in France, Germany and Switzerland with many places dedicated to her. Ottilie was a fairly common name in Germany from the early medieval period, through the Protestant Reformation, into the modern era. In Britain, however, the name never took off, despite masculine form Otto getting some moderate use by the 19th century. Immigration into Britain from lowland countries, starting with Flemish weavers in the reign of Edward III, to the influx of miners, tapestry makers and glass makers in the 16th and 17th centuries are the major reason for Ottilie getting any use in Britain at this time.
Births for Ottilie in England and Wales: 1840s: 0 births Most Ottilies born in England and Wales up until 1910 have German surnames, but after this point it seems to have been adopted more as an anglicised name, particularly among the upper classes, and increasingly over the last few years. The variant Ottoline was marginally more common in Britain in the 19th century among the aristocracy and bolstered by the fame of Lady Ottoline Morrell (1873-1938), a society hostess and patron of the arts.
Demonstrating its disproportionately higher use among the well-heeled, Ottilie generally ranks within the top 50 names in either The Times or The Telegraph newspaper announcements each year. The Times: #18 in 2011, #33 in 2012 and #23 in 2013. The Telegraph: #44 in 2010, #23 in 2011, #11 in 2014, and #13 in 2015. In 2015, Ottilie ranked #411 (109 births) in England and Wales and #653 (4 births) in Scotland. |
Famous Bearers: |
History: * Saint Odilia of Cologne (c. 4th century), a saint of the Roman Catholic Church; patroness of good eyesight. Contemporary: * Ottilie Patterson (1932–2011), a Northern Irish blues singer Literature and Other Media: * "To Ottilie,"a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. |
Variants: |
Ottilia, Odilia, Odile, Otelia, Otylia, Odila, Ottolie, Ettilie |
Pronunciation: |
OT-i-lee (English) o-TEE-lee-ə (German) [key] |
Possible diminutives: |
Tilly, Ottie, Ollie, Lottie, Tolly |
Sibling Names: |
Henrietta Clementine Emmeline Genevieve Vivienne Beatrix |
Name Lists: |
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Thanks to Kate for requesting this name.