Hosea

Pronunciation: [ h-ohs-EE-uh ]

Boy Name #2,351 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

An ancient Hebrew prophet's name meaning salvation

Jewish Christian American African-American

Spiritual Classic Vintage Strong Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"God saves"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Hosea

Hosea is the anglicization of the Hebrew name Hoshea (הוֹשֵׁעַ), derived from the root 'yasha' — meaning 'to save, to deliver.' It shares this root with Joshua (Yehoshua, 'God is salvation') and Jesus (the Greek form of Yeshua). Hosea was an 8th-century BCE Hebrew prophet whose book of the Old Testament uses the metaphor of an unfaithful wife to describe Israel's relationship with God — one of the most emotionally vivid prophetic books in the Bible.

Hosea has been steadily used in African-American communities and evangelical Christian families, where Biblical names carry strong meaning. It has never been a mainstream name but maintains consistent use among those who prize its deeply rooted Biblical significance and distinctive sound.

Hosea Williams (1926-2000) was a prominent civil rights leader who marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and led the charge across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday (1965). His name gave Hosea powerful associations with the African-American civil rights movement. In Jewish and Christian tradition, the Book of Hosea contains some of the most poetic language in the entire Bible.

Fun Facts

Hosea shares its Hebrew root with Joshua and Jesus — all mean some form of 'salvation' or 'God saves'
Civil rights leader Hosea Williams led the charge across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965

Hosea in Other Languages

Greek Ωσηέ

French Osée

German Hosea

Hebrew הוֹשֵׁעַ

Spanish Oseas

Famous People Named Hosea

Hosea Williams

Activist

American civil rights leader who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and led the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965

Hosea (Biblical prophet)

Religious

8th-century BCE Hebrew prophet, author of the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #2,351
Total SSA Count: 60
Cultural Origins: Jewish Christian American African-American
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Hose Ho

Pairs Well With

Hosea James Hosea Benjamin Hosea Elijah Hosea Samuel Hosea Aaron Hosea Caleb Hosea David

Sibling Names

Amos Micah Isaiah Malachi Deborah Ruth Naomi Miriam

Also a Girl Name

Hosea is also used as a girl name, ranked #69618.

View Hosea as a girl name →

Similar Names

Joseph Isaac Moses Elijah Joshua Isaiah Elisha Josiah

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea

What does the name Hosea mean?

"God saves" (from Hebrew). Hosea is the anglicization of the Hebrew name Hoshea (הוֹשֵׁעַ), derived from the root 'yasha' — meaning 'to save, to deliver.' It shares this root with Joshua (Yehoshua, 'God is salvation') and Jesus (the Greek form of Yeshua). Hosea was an 8th-century BCE Hebrew prophet whose book of the Old Testament uses the metaphor of an unfaithful wife to describe Israel's relationship with God — one of the most emotionally vivid prophetic books in the Bible.

What is the origin of the name Hosea?

Hosea has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, American, and African-American origins. In Hebrew, it means "God saves".

Is Hosea a boy or girl name?

Hosea is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2351. As a girl name, it is ranked #69618. Hosea is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Hosea?

Hosea is pronounced h-ohs-EE-uh.

How popular is the name Hosea?

Hosea is currently ranked #2351 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Hosea?

Common nicknames for Hosea include Hose and Ho.

What are good middle names for Hosea?

Popular middle name pairings include Hosea James, Hosea Benjamin, Hosea Elijah, Hosea Samuel, Hosea Aaron, Hosea Caleb, and Hosea David.

What are good sibling names for Hosea?

Names that pair well with Hosea as siblings include Amos, Micah, Isaiah, Malachi, Deborah, Ruth, Naomi, and Miriam.

How many syllables does Hosea have?

Hosea has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Hosea a common or rare name?

Hosea is an uncommon name, ranked #2351 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Hosea

Hosea is a boy name with Jewish, Christian, American, and African-American origins . The name means "God saves" in Hebrew .

Is Hosea a boy or girl name? Hosea is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,351 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #69,618. Hosea is more commonly used as a boy name.

Hosea is currently ranked #2,351 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Hosea has 3 syllables and is pronounced h-ohs-EE-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Hosea include Hose and Ho. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.