"descendant of the hawk-like one (Irish)"
Oshea
Pronunciation: [ ohsh-AY ]
A bold name with Irish heritage and biblical depth
Meaning & Origin
"God saves, salvation (Hebrew Hoshea)"
The Story of Oshea
O'Shea is the Irish surname form of the given name Shea, from the Irish O Seaghdha meaning descendant of Seaghdha (a personal name meaning hawk-like or stately). As a given name, O'Shea carries the full weight of Irish heritage. Separately, Hoshea/Oshea is the original Hebrew form of Joshua, meaning God saves or God is salvation, making the name potentially dual-rooted in both Irish and Hebrew traditions.
O'Shea Jackson Sr. (known as Ice Cube) put the name on the cultural map in the 1980s and 90s. The name appears in African American communities as both a given name and a surname repurposed as a first name, following the broader Irish-surname naming trend.
In Irish tradition, O'Shea is a proud County Kerry surname. In American hip-hop culture, O'Shea (Ice Cube) became one of the most influential names in entertainment. The Hebrew root connects it to Joshua, one of the most important leaders in the Bible.
Fun Facts
- Ice Cube's full birth name is O'Shea Jackson Sr.
- Hoshea was the original name of Joshua in the Hebrew Bible before Moses renamed him
- The Irish surname O'Shea is concentrated primarily in County Kerry, Ireland
Oshea in Other Languages
Famous People Named Oshea
O'Shea Jackson Jr.
Actor
1991
American actor who played his father Ice Cube in Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Ice Cube
Musician
1969
Rapper, actor, and filmmaker born O'Shea Jackson Sr., a founding member of N.W.A and one of the most influential figures...
Rapper, actor, and filmmaker born O'Shea Jackson Sr., a founding member of N.W.A and one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,714
- Total SSA Count
- 48
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Jewish Irish African American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Oshea is also used as a girl name, ranked #59098.
View Oshea as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Oshea
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About the Name Oshea
Oshea is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, Irish, and African American origins . The name means "descendant of the hawk-like one (Irish)" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Oshea a boy or girl name? Oshea is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,714 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #59,098. Oshea is more commonly used as a boy name.
Oshea is currently ranked #2,714 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Oshea has 2 syllables and is pronounced ohsh-AY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Oshea include O and Shea. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.