Holding steady, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Osric since 1972
Babies named Osric per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2015, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Osric's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 15 |
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 16 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 52 |
| 2020s | 24 |
Meaning & origin
Osric is a rare Old English name meaning 'divine ruler.' Despite its ancient roots and use by Anglo-Saxon royalty, the name currently ranks 7,679 in the U.S. (2025 data), with an estimated 1 in 170,808 male births receiving the name that year. Its highest recorded usage is in 2025, indicating recent, though still extremely limited, interest. The name is best known from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' where Osric is a courtier. The trajectory is stable, and no U.S. state has reported significant usage.
Osric derives from the Old English elements 'os' meaning 'god' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'power.' It was borne by several Anglo-Saxon nobles and kings, including a 7th-century king of Deira and a later king of Northumbria. The name fell out of common use after the Norman Conquest but was revived in the 20th century, possibly influenced by literary works such as Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' (where Osric is a minor character).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Oz, Ozzy, Rick, Ricky
Variants: Osrick
Sibling names for Osric
Names that share Osric's style, for a brother or sister.
