Uswa
An Arabic feminine name meaning "excellent example" or "model of conduct".
Name Census estimates that about 21 living Americans carry the first name Uswa. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Uswa today is around 8 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Uswa births was 2018 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Uswa. 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
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Uswa. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
21
~ 1 in 16,321,635 Americans
Peak year
2018
6 babies that year
Average age
8
years old
2024 SSA rank
#17,452
Tracked since 2012
Popularity
Uswa: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Uswa from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 16 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Uswa remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Uswa 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 Uswa 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 Uswa
The name Uswa is derived from the Arabic word 'Uswah,' which means 'a good example' or 'role model.' It has its origins in the Islamic faith and culture, where it holds significant importance. The name can be traced back to the 7th century when Islam emerged in the Arabian Peninsula.
One of the earliest and most notable references to the name can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The term 'Uswah' is used to describe the exemplary character and conduct of the Prophet Muhammad, who is considered the ultimate role model for Muslims. This association has given the name a profound spiritual and ethical connotation.
In Islamic history, Uswa became a popular name among Muslim families who wished to instill the virtues of righteousness and moral excellence in their children. It was often given to individuals who demonstrated outstanding character, wisdom, and leadership qualities, serving as an inspiration to others.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Uswa can be found in the life of Uswa ibn Malik, a 7th-century companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a renowned scholar of Islamic jurisprudence. He played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the teachings of the Prophet.
Another prominent figure bearing the name Uswa was Uswa ibn Zayd, a distinguished military commander and governor who lived during the 7th and 8th centuries. He was known for his bravery, strategic skills, and unwavering loyalty to the Islamic caliphate.
In the 9th century, Uswa ibn Muhammad al-Hafiz, a renowned scholar of Hadith (the recorded sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad), made significant contributions to the preservation and transmission of Islamic knowledge. His work was highly regarded and widely studied.
Moving forward in history, Uswa ibn Munqidh, a 12th-century Arab philosopher, soldier, and memoirist, left a lasting impact with his influential literary works. His autobiographical account, "Kitab al-I'tibar" (The Book of Instructions), offered valuable insights into the social, political, and military aspects of the Crusades era.
Another notable figure was Uswa al-Sadat, a 19th-century Egyptian reformist and intellectual who played a vital role in the Renaissance (Nahda) movement in the Arab world. He advocated for educational and social reforms, and his writings inspired generations of thinkers and activists.
People
Uswa + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Uswa as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with U
Other first names starting with U with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Uswa: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Uswa?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 21 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Uswa 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 16,321,635 US residents.
Is Uswa a common name?
We classify Uswa as "Very Rare". It ranks above 40.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 21 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Uswa most popular?
The single biggest year for Uswa was 2018, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Uswa is about 8 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Uswa a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Uswa in the SSA data are female. 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.