Ossie
Ossie is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Divine power or god, as a diminutive of names like Oswald.
Origin and history
Ossie is a traditional English diminutive, historically used as a short form for names starting with the Old English element 'os', meaning divine power or god. While rarely given as an official full name in recent years, it carries a vintage, friendly charm. It was historically more common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
1,677 babies in the United States have been named Ossie since 1880. It ranks #3101 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- GA (42.8 %)
- AL (23.4 %)
- MS (13.9 %)
- AR (5.5 %)
- NC (3.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 41 |
| 1890-1900 | 48 |
| 1900-1910 | 73 |
| 1910-1920 | 241 |
| 1920-1930 | 282 |
| 1930-1940 | 236 |
| 1940-1950 | 241 |
| 1950-1960 | 185 |
| 1960-1970 | 124 |
| 1970-1980 | 85 |
| 1980-1990 | 57 |
| 1990-2000 | 30 |
| 2000-2010 | 29 |
| 2010-2019 | 5 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Ossie
- Ossie Davis: Actor, Playwright
- Ossie Schectman: Basketball Player
- Ossie Ardiles: Football Player, Manager
Fun facts
- The 'Oss-' element stems from the Old English 'ōs', which refers to a deity or divine power.
- Renowned American actor, playwright, and civil rights activist Ossie Davis brought significant prominence to the name.