Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Usman
BoyArabic· “form of Uthman, "baby bustard"”
- Meaning
- form of Uthman, "baby bustard"
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- OOS-mahn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,607
- US babies 2025
- 106
- Best rank
- #1,607 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Usman
Usman is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “form of Uthman, "baby bustard"”.
Usman is the form of the Arabic name Uthman used in Urdu, Persian, Turkish-influenced and West African communities, where the Arabic th sound often becomes s. Its meaning is traditionally explained as baby bustard, a small bird, though the name is valued more for its historical bearer than its literal sense: Uthman ibn Affan was the third caliph and a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. The same name gave rise to Osman, the founder of the Ottoman dynasty, and the word Ottoman itself. Usman is said OOS-mahn. It is widely used in Pakistan, Nigeria and across the Muslim world.
Popularity over time
Usman first appears in US Social Security records in 1979. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,607, and its highest count, 106 babies. Use has grown 165% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #4,916 in 1980, #2,989 in 2000, #2,822 in 2010, and #1,607 in 2025. Of the 1,728 US boys named Usman since records began, 30% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 380 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Mamadou, Amin, Mahdi, Aram, and Ciaran.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Usman ranked highest in Illinois, Michigan, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #706 | 13 |
| Michigan | #897 | 8 |
| New York | #986 | 13 |
| Virginia | #1079 | 6 |
| Washington | #1148 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Usman is usually pronounced OOS-mahn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with U and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Usman
A few middle names that flow with Usman: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Usman
Similar names
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Lists that include Usman
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Usman mean?
Usman is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “form of Uthman, "baby bustard"”.
What is the origin of the name Usman?
Usman has Arabic roots. Usman is the form of the Arabic name Uthman used in Urdu, Persian, Turkish-influenced and West African communities, where the Arabic th sound often becomes s.
Is Usman a popular name?
Not especially. Usman ranked #1,607 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Usman a boy or girl name?
Usman is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Usman?
Usman is usually pronounced OOS-mahn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings