Hosia
A feminine Arabic name meaning "small gift" or "beautiful one".
Name Census estimates that about 13 living Americans carry the first name Hosia. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Hosia today is around 78 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Hosia births was 1927 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Hosia. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Hosia is about 78 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Hosias were born before 1958.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Hosia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
13
~ 1 in 26,365,718 Americans
Peak year
1927
5 babies that year
Average age
78
years old
1958 SSA rank
#4,195
Tracked since 1927
Popularity
Hosia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Hosia from the 1920s through to the 1950s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1940s, with 15 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1940s peak, Hosia remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Hosia by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Hosia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Hosia
The name Hosia has its origins in the ancient Etruscan civilization, which flourished in what is now modern-day Italy from around the 8th century BCE to the 1st century BCE. It is derived from the Etruscan word "Hosie," meaning "protector" or "guardian."
Throughout the Etruscan era, the name Hosia was commonly used for both men and women, often appearing in various inscriptions and records. One notable example is the mention of a wealthy Etruscan merchant named Hosia Velthuri in a trade document dating back to the 6th century BCE.
As the Roman Empire rose to power and assimilated the Etruscan culture, the name Hosia gradually fell out of widespread use. However, it did continue to appear sporadically throughout history, particularly in certain regions of Italy.
In the 12th century, a monk named Hosia di Beneventano gained recognition for his contributions to the preservation of ancient texts and manuscripts. He is believed to have been born around 1110 CE in the town of Benevento, located in southern Italy.
During the Renaissance period, a notable figure named Hosia Fiorentino (1490-1564) rose to prominence as a skilled architect and engineer. He was born in Florence and is credited with designing several notable buildings and structures throughout Italy.
In the 18th century, a renowned Italian composer and violinist named Hosia Tartini (1692-1770) made significant contributions to the development of music theory and composition. He was born in Piran, which was then part of the Republic of Venice.
Another notable individual with the name Hosia was an Italian painter and sculptor named Hosia Rossi (1822-1891), who was known for his work in the Neoclassical style. He was born in the city of Genoa and his artworks can be found in various galleries and museums across Italy.
While the name Hosia has maintained a presence throughout history, particularly in Italy, it has become relatively uncommon in modern times. However, its rich historical roots and connection to the ancient Etruscan civilization make it a unique and intriguing name with a fascinating backstory.
People
Hosia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Hosia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with H
Other first names starting with H with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Hosia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Hosia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 13 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Hosia going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 26,365,718 US residents.
Is Hosia a common name?
We classify Hosia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 33.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 25 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Hosia most popular?
The single biggest year for Hosia was 1927, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Hosia is about 78 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Hosia a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Hosia in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.