"God saves"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Hosea
Pronunciation: [ h-ohs-EE-uh ]
Does Hosea flow with your last name?
An ancient Hebrew prophet's name meaning salvation
Jewish
Christian
American
African-American
Spiritual
Classic
Vintage
Strong
Traditional
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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.
Historical Record
Hosea first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,111 babies have been named Hosea in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hosea is past its peak , currently ranked #2,351 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#2,351
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hosea
H
Hosea Williams
Activist
American civil rights leader who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and led the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965
H
Hosea (Biblical prophet)
Religious
8th-century BCE Hebrew prophet, author of the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament
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Compare Hosea with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hosea
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Hosea is also used as a girl name, ranked #69618.
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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.
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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis