A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Osa since 1880
Babies named Osa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 80 | 0 |
| 1890s | 139 | 0 |
| 1900s | 109 | 0 |
| 1910s | 104 | 39 |
| 1920s | 108 | 38 |
| 1930s | 57 | 5 |
| 1940s | 31 | 0 |
| 1950s | 8 | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 17 | 5 |
| 2020s | 25 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Osa is a rare and intriguing name with roots possibly in Scandinavia or Ireland. Its earliest recorded use in the U.S. dates to 1880, and it peaked in popularity in 1892. After a century of decline, the name has been rising again since 2015, reflecting a broader revival of vintage names from the 1890s. Today, Osa is given to approximately 1 in 178,585 newborns, a rarity that appeals to parents seeking an uncommon yet simple name. Its top states are not reported due to sparse usage, but its delicate sound and cross-cultural potential give it a quiet charm.
The name Osa has multiple possible origins. It may derive from Old Norse áss ('god'), appearing in names like Åsa. Alternatively, it could be a short form of Irish names containing os ('deer'), such as Oisin. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Åsa
Sibling names for Osa
Names that share Osa's style, for a brother or sister.
