Rising since 1994, #3,583 for boys today.
Popularity of Ousmane since 1993
Babies named Ousmane per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 64 |
| 2000s | 206 |
| 2010s | 248 |
| 2020s | 194 |
Meaning & origin
Ousmane is a boy's name of West African origin, particularly widespread in Fulani-speaking communities across Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and other Sahelian countries. The French-influenced spelling Ousmane is predominantly used in Francophone regions, while Anglophone and Arabic-speaking areas favor Usman or Osman. After first appearing in U.S. records in 1993, the name has climbed steadily; its peak year was 2023, and it continues to rise, having maintained an upward trajectory since 1994. The name is most common in New York, reflecting a substantial West African diaspora community. Its 1-in-55,099 birth incidence underscores its rarity even as usage grows. Ousmane remains closely associated with the Fulani and Soninke heritages, where it has been a traditional choice for centuries.
Ousmane is a West African variant of Usman, the Arabic name for the third caliph Uthman ibn Affan. It carries particular cultural weight in Fulani and Soninke communities, where it has been borne for centuries. The spelling Ousmane, with the French-influenced 'Ou-' prefix, reflects colonial orthographic conventions in Francophone West Africa.
Where Ousmane is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ousmane” around the world
Where Ousmane lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
245
babies in 2024
Quebec
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ous, Mane
Sibling names for Ousmane
Names that share Ousmane's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aminata, Fatoumata, Mariama, Khady, Rokhaya, Aissata, Aissatou, Binta, Bintou, Coumba, Fatimata, Fatou, Fatumata, Kadiatou, Marieme, Ndeye, Oumou, Seynabou, Sokhna, Astou, Mariame, Safiatou, Salimatou
Brothers: Mamadou, Souleymane, Amadou, Ibrahima, Moussa, Abdoul, Abdoulaye, Aliou, Boubacar, Cheick, Cheikh, Elhadji, Lamin, Serigne, Toure, Ahmadou, Babacar, Bakary, Fallou, Pape, Saliou, Seydina, Seydou
