Welsh boy name
Osian Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Osian means little deer. The Welsh form of Oisín, from the Irish for little deer
Osian is the Welsh form of the Irish name Oisín, the warrior-poet in the Fenian stories. The Welsh spelling was influenced by the eighteenth-century Ossian poems published by James Macpherson. The name means little deer and has an attractive, flowing sound. It has been used in Wales for generations and is increasingly popular. The Welsh football coach Osian Roberts is a well-known bearer. It is easy to pronounce, with the first syllable OSH, and makes a good choice for a family with both Irish and Welsh interests.
Variants of Osian
OssianOisin
Well-known people named Osian
Osian Roberts.
Osian popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Osian ranked #8,736 in the US (9 babies). It is too rare to appear in Irish rankings.
United States (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Osian mean?
Osian means "little deer". The Welsh form of Oisín, from the Irish for little deer.
How do you pronounce Osian?
Osian is pronounced OSH-an.
What is the origin of Osian?
Osian is of Welsh origin. The Welsh form of Oisín, from the Irish for little deer.