Osama: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#5,341

among boys · ↑1,807 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Osama

How common

1 in 94,893

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1999

65 babies

All-time total

979

#5,201 all-time among boys

First recorded

1968

in Social Security records

Osama popularity over time

979 babies have been named Osama since 1968, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	6	1	–	#4,009
1970s	63	6	+950%	#2,637
1980s	181	18	+187%	#1,860
1990s	419	42	+131%	#1,649
2000s	137	14	-67%	#1,939
2010s	96	10	-30%	#6,029
2020s (to 2025)	77	13	+34%	#5,341

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.

How old are people named Osama?

The median living Osama is about 29 years old; half are between 24 and 35. An estimated 1,000 people named Osama are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Osama Hawsawi Saudi Arabian footballer b. 1984 · Contemporary
2 Osama Elsamni Egyptian Japanese footballer (born 1988) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Osama, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Osama?

The median living Osama is about 29 years old. Half of all living Osamas are between 24 and 35 years old.

How many people named Osama are alive today?

An estimated 1,000 people named Osama are alive in the United States, based on 979 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like Osama

Names that sound and feel close to Osama: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Osama with similar names → More names starting with O →