Otniel is a form of Othniel, a Hebrew biblical name meaning lion of God or strength of God.
Otniel is the Hebrew form of Othniel, a name of disputed etymology that scholars variously interpret as meaning 'lion of God,' 'strength of God,' or possibly 'God is my strength,' drawing on the Hebrew roots *oz* (strength) or *ari* (lion) combined with *El* (God). Whichever etymology is correct, the martial and theological associations are consistent: this is a name built for a warrior-judge. In the Hebrew Bible, Othniel ben Kenaz holds the singular distinction of being the very first of the Judges of Israel — the leaders who arose to deliver the Israelite tribes from oppression before the monarchy was established.
His story is brief but structurally foundational in the Book of Judges. Beyond the biblical narrative, Othniel also appears as the nephew and son-in-law of Caleb, the faithful spy who entered Canaan alongside Joshua. His reward — the hand of Caleb's daughter Achsah after capturing the city of Debir — is one of the Old Testament's more cinematically told episodes of military valor rewarded with marriage.
The name was used by Jewish communities throughout the medieval period, preserving its connection to this ancient heroic lineage, and it continues to be given to children in Israel today. In its Otniel spelling, the name loses the anglicised 'th' digraph and returns closer to its Hebrew phonetic roots, giving it an authenticity that appeals to families seeking names with genuine, unmediated biblical heritage. Outside Israel, it remains rare enough to stand out while being immediately traceable to one of the oldest and most structurally important figures in the entire Hebrew scriptural tradition — a name with the distinction of being first.