Hosea is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Old Testament figure Hosea son of Beeri who was a prophet during the 8th century BCE. The name Hosea means "salvation" or "help". In the biblical narrative, Hosea was instructed by God to marry Gomer, a woman of ill repute, as a metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God. This story is recounted in the Book of Hosea.
The name Hosea has been used throughout history, with notable figures including Hosea Ballou (1771-1852), an American Universalist minister and theologian, and Hosea Hudson (1919-2010), a civil rights activist and co-founder of the Alabama Civic Affairs Association.
Today, Hosea remains a unique and uncommon name, but its biblical significance continues to make it appealing to those seeking a meaningful name with deep historical roots.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Hosea has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest data available is from 1880, with a total of 10 births that year. The number of births fluctuated annually, ranging between a low of 7 births in 1894 to a high of 72 births in 1923.
The name's popularity peaked during the early to mid-20th century. Between 1950 and 1960, there was an average of around 50 births per year. However, starting from the late 1960s, the number of babies named Hosea began to decline significantly. By the 1980s, the annual birth count had dropped below 30, and this trend continued throughout most of the 1990s.
Interestingly, there has been a resurgence in recent years. After reaching a low of 23 births in 1992, the number started to increase again, with peaks of 64 births in 2014, 68 births in 2015, and 65 births in both 2020 and 2022. As of 2023, there have been a total of 5,352 babies named Hosea born in the United States since records began.
These statistics demonstrate that while the name Hosea may not have been consistently popular over time, it has maintained a steady presence among baby names in the United States. The recent uptick in popularity suggests that this trend could continue into the future.