A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hosea since 1880
Babies named Hosea per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hosea's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 155 |
| 1890s | 114 |
| 1900s | 154 |
| 1910s | 386 |
| 1920s | 583 |
| 1930s | 474 |
| 1940s | 437 |
| 1950s | 555 |
| 1960s | 439 |
| 1970s | 394 |
| 1980s | 283 |
| 1990s | 306 |
| 2000s | 296 |
| 2010s | 547 |
| 2020s | 358 |
Meaning & origin
Hosea is a biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'salvation.' In 2025, it ranked 2,145th in popularity, given to about 1 in 25,494 male newborns. Its peak year was 1885, and after a long period of decline, the name has been rising in use since 1998. It is most commonly found in Washington, Ohio, and Texas. Despite its rarity, Hosea carries strong religious and historical significance as the name of a major Old Testament prophet.
Hosea is a Hebrew name from the Bible, derived from 'Hoshea' meaning 'salvation.' The prophet Hosea, active in the 8th century BCE, is the central figure of the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament. The name has been used among English-speaking Christians since the Protestant Reformation, though it has never been common.
Where Hosea is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ho, Osea
Variants: Hoshea, Osee
Sibling names for Hosea
Names that share Hosea's style, for a brother or sister.
