Osmond is a name of English origin that is derived from the Germanic name Osmund, which is composed of the elements "os" meaning "god" and "mund" meaning "protection." The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages and was particularly popular during the Anglo-Saxon period. Some famous bearers of the name include Osmond, a 12th-century Bishop of Salisbury, and Osmond I, a medieval King of Jutland. Today, Osmond is still considered a unique and distinctive name choice for boys.
The name Osmond has seen a varied history of popularity over the past century in the United States. With a total of 444 births recorded since 1912, it has experienced periods of relative frequency and obscurity.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the name Osmond peaked during certain years. Between 1912 and 1927, there were notable fluctuations in its popularity, with the highest number of births occurring in 1917 (14 births) and 1919 (12 births). However, it was not consistently popular throughout this period, as evidenced by years such as 1924 and 1925, where only six births were recorded each year.
After a decline in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with five births each year from 1939 to 1947, Osmond's popularity began to fluctuate once again. In the mid-20th century, particularly between the years 1956 and 1983, there were periods where Osmond was chosen more frequently as a baby boy's name, reaching heights of eight births in certain years.
Despite some peaks in the late 20th century, such as seven births in 1983 and eight births in both 1994 and 2000, the popularity of the name Osmond has primarily been low to moderate since the 1960s. The most recent data from 2022 shows an increase in its usage, with 19 births recorded that year.
Overall, while Osmond has not been a consistently popular name throughout history, it has maintained a consistent presence in American naming culture over the past century, with peaks and valleys in popularity along the way.