Unisex name · peaked 1919

Ossie

Every Ossie since 1880 — 4,594 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.040.080.110.1518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Ossie
Peak year
1919
138 babies
All-time total
4,594
since 1880

The story of Ossie

Ossie is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 4,594 American babies have been named Ossie — about 63% girls and 37% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1919, when 138 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.

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 Ossie stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Ossie year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014 5 #13,513
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007 6 #11,978
2006 6 #11,678
2005
2004 6 #10,968
2003 6 #10,516
2002
2001 5 #11,845
2000
1995
1990 8 #6,259
1985 9 #4,593
1980 6 #9,989 7 #5,348
1975 6 #5,280
1970 11 #3,022
1965 11 #4,130 5 #4,291
1960 5 #7,049 15 #2,180
1955 11 #3,725 18 #1,888
1950 22 #2,107 22 #1,602
1945 31 #1,474 20 #1,523
1940 40 #1,165 23 #1,424
1935 44 #1,051 17 #1,744
1930 64 #913 29 #1,363
1925 85 #804 22 #1,664
1920 83 #796 42 #1,105
1915 71 #786 22 #1,495
1910 43 #654 18 #725
1905 30 #654 9 #902
1900 32 #631 15 #673
1895 15 #854 6 #1,049
1890 9 #990
1885 6 #1,020 7 #820
1880 5 #913 9 #673

Famous people named Ossie

  1. Ossie Davis Actor · 1917–2005

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Ossie in 2025?

Ossie did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Ossie?

4,594 babies have been named Ossie in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Ossie most popular?

Ossie peaked in 1919, when 138 newborns received the name.

Is Ossie a boy or girl name?

Ossie is used for both: about 63% of babies named Ossie have been girls and 37% boys.

Is the name Ossie rising or falling?

Ossie has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Ossie?

Well-known people named Ossie include Ossie Davis (actor).

Names like Ossie

Compare Ossie with similar names →