Osama
Borrowed from Arabic أُسَامَة (ʔusāma).
Every Osama since 1968 — 979 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Osama
Osama is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,341 in 2025 with 18 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1968, 979 American babies have been named Osama. Its peak came in 1999, when 65 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Osama stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Osama year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 | #5,341 |
| 2024 | 12 | #7,148 |
| 2023 | 18 | #5,406 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8,810 |
| 2021 | 12 | #6,989 |
| 2020 | 8 | #9,325 |
| 2019 | 15 | #6,029 |
| 2018 | 8 | #9,436 |
| 2017 | 13 | #6,570 |
| 2016 | 14 | #6,265 |
| 2015 | 14 | #6,224 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8,615 |
| 2013 | 11 | #7,411 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11,877 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11,883 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 5 | #13,944 |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 7 | #10,598 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11,676 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #12,722 |
| 2003 | 11 | #6,606 |
| 2002 | 11 | #6,405 |
| 2001 | 38 | #2,553 |
| 2000 | 54 | #1,939 |
| 1995 | 38 | #2,163 |
| 1990 | 28 | #2,475 |
| 1985 | 32 | #1,860 |
| 1980 | 14 | #3,206 |
| 1975 | 5 | #6,058 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Osama
- Osama Hawsawi Soccer player · b. 1984
- Osama Elsamni Soccer player · b. 1988
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Osama mean?
Borrowed from Arabic أُسَامَة (ʔusāma).
How popular is the name Osama in 2025?
Osama ranked #5,341 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 18 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Osama?
979 babies have been named Osama in the United States since 1968, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Osama most popular?
Osama peaked in 1999, when 65 newborns received the name.
Is Osama a boy or girl name?
Osama is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Osama rising or falling?
Osama is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Osama?
Well-known people named Osama include Osama Hawsawi (soccer player), Osama Elsamni (soccer player).