Oshea Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: oh-SHAY /oʊˈʃeɪ/
Origin: Hebrew; Irish
Meaning: Hebrew: salvation; Irish: God is gracious
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Oshea has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name "Hoshea" (הוֹשֵׁעַ), which means "salvation" or "to save." The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Hoshea is mentioned as a biblical figure, specifically the last king of Israel before the Assyrian conquest in the 8th century BCE. The name was later adapted into Greek as "Oshēa" and subsequently into Latin, which contributed to its eventual entry into English.
The transformation from Hoshea to Oshea likely involved phonetic simplification and adaptation to fit English phonology, particularly during the periods of biblical translation and the influence of the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which popularized many biblical names in English-speaking contexts. Historically, the name Oshea has been associated with themes of deliverance and divine assistance, reflecting its original meaning.
The biblical narrative surrounding Hoshea, including his reign and the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel, has contributed to the name's significance in religious and historical texts. The name's association with salvation has made it a meaningful choice in various religious communities, particularly among those who draw inspiration from biblical figures.
Culturally, Oshea resonates with the tradition of names that signify hope and redemption, which have been valued across different cultures and eras. The name's enduring quality can be attributed to its strong biblical roots and the universal themes of salvation and protection it embodies.
While diminutive forms such as "Osh" may arise in informal contexts, the name Oshea itself carries a weight of historical and spiritual significance that has allowed it to persist through generations.
Famous people named Oshea
In this section, you will find notable people named Oshea. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Oshea who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Oshea who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Oshea Brissett is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Toronto Raptors and the Sacramento Kings.
Oshea Jackson Jr. is an actor and rapper best known for Straight Outta Compton, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Ingrid Goes West.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Oshea, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Oshea. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Oshea was first seen in the United States in 1986.
Oshea has ranked as high as #1359 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Oshea has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Oshea is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Oshea was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Oshea (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Oshea.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2023 | 52 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2021 | 47 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2019 | 59 |
| 2018 | 63 |
| 2017 | 57 |
| 2016 | 64 |
| 2015 | 45 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2000 | 25 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 1998 | 28 |
| 1997 | 35 |
| 1996 | 37 |
| 1995 | 49 |
| 1994 | 43 |
| 1993 | 54 |
| 1992 | 44 |
| 1991 | 15 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1986 | 20 |