Oziah is a unique and rare given name of Hebrew origin. The name is derived from the Hebrew word "Oshea," which means "helper" or "rescuer." In the Bible, Osea (also spelled Oshea) was the husband of Gomer and the father of Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah, and Lo-ammi. He was a prophet who served during the reign of King Jeroboam II in Israel.
The name Oziah is not found directly in the Bible, but it is believed to be a variant spelling or form of Oshea. Some sources suggest that Oziah may also mean "strength" or "power," although this interpretation is not as widely accepted as the meaning of "helper" or "rescuer."
Historically, the name Oziah has been used sparingly throughout history. It was not a popular given name in ancient Israel and does not appear to have been commonly used in other cultures or historical periods. However, in recent years, there has been some renewed interest in the name Oziah, particularly among parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their children.
Overall, Oziah is a distinctive given name with a rich Hebrew heritage and a biblical connection. Its meaning of "helper" or "rescuer" makes it an appealing choice for those seeking a name with positive and powerful connotations. Despite its rarity, Oziah has the potential to become more widely used in the future as parents continue to look for unique and meaningful names for their children.
The name Oziah has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past decade and a half in the United States, with the total number of births reaching 440 as of 2023. In 2006, there were only 7 births with this name, but by 2019, that number had grown to 54 births, marking a sevenfold increase.
The years 2013 and 2022 saw the highest number of Oziah births, with 17 and 62 respectively. This trend suggests that the name has gained considerable traction among parents in recent years. However, there were some fluctuations along the way, with a dip to just 5 births in 2011 before steadily climbing back up.
Despite these fluctuations, the overall upward trend is clear. Over the past decade and a half, more and more parents have chosen to name their children Oziah, contributing to the significant growth in total births with this name.