Holding steady.
Popularity of Osceola since 1906
Babies named Osceola per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Osceola's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 13 | 0 |
| 1910s | 57 | 9 |
| 1920s | 67 | 6 |
| 1930s | 11 | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0 | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 | 6 |
| 1970s | 0 | 15 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Osceola first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1906, a full 68 years after the death of the Seminole war leader whose name it commemorates. The name hit its peak in 1907, just a year after its first recorded use, suggesting a brief burst of interest that quickly faded. Since then, usage has been stable but extremely rare: in 2025 the name did not appear in the Social Security Administration's annual lists, meaning fewer than five newborns received it. The name is absent from the top states data, indicating no regional concentration. Despite its obscurity, Osceola carries a direct link to a pivotal figure in American history, and its Creek etymology offers a meaning tied to ceremonial tradition. For parents seeking a historically resonant Native American name with a strong but neglected legacy, Osceola stands out, though its rarity means it is unlikely to be recognizable to most.
Osceola is best known as the name of a prominent 19th-century Seminole leader (born Billy Powell), who adopted the name during the Second Seminole War. The name is of Creek origin and may derive from "asi-yahola" (black drink singer), referring to a ceremonial drink. It has been used in the United States as a masculine given name since the early 1900s, peaking in 1907.
Sibling names for Osceola
Names that share Osceola's style, for a brother or sister.
