Osa is a unique and distinctive given name of African origin, particularly from the Yoruba culture of Nigeria. It is derived from the Yoruba word "osa", which means "wealth". The name Osa is often associated with prosperity, abundance, and good fortune.
In Yoruba mythology, Osa is also the name of one of the 16 principles that make up the human personality. These principles are believed to reside in the head and influence an individual's behavior and character. It is said that a person named Osa may be blessed with the qualities associated with this principle.
The name Osa has been used in various forms throughout history, with notable figures such as Osa Johnson, a renowned explorer and photographer from the early 20th century. Born Olivia Susan "Osa" Johnson in 1894, she was known for her travels around the world with her husband, Martin Johnson, documenting indigenous cultures through photography.
While Osa may not be as common a name as some others, it holds significant cultural and historical value within the Yoruba community and among those who appreciate unique and meaningful names. It is often given to both boys and girls, although its origins suggest it may have been traditionally used more for males. Overall, the name Osa carries a powerful meaning and an intriguing history that sets it apart from many other names.
Based on the statistics provided, it seems that the name Osa has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States over the years.
From 1914 to 1930, there were a total of 60 births registered with the name Osa. The peak years for this name appeared to be between 1915 and 1921, with the highest number of births occurring in 1916 and 1921, both at 10 births each. However, there were also several years where only 5 babies named Osa were born (1914, 1917, 1919, 1925, 1930).
After a gap of many decades, the name Osa resurfaced in recent times with 5 births registered in 2017. This shows that while the name may not have been popular consistently over time, it has had occasional periods of popularity and continues to be chosen for newborns even today.
In total, from 1914 to 2017, there were 87 babies born with the name Osa in the United States.