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Osman

Boy name · 23 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Osman: 23 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 1990.

Osman is a name of Arabic and Turkish origin, derived from the Arabic *Uthman*, meaning "baby bustard" (a type of bird) or, more figuratively, "wise" and "powerful." Its most famous bearer is Osman I, the founder and first Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in the late 13th century—a dynasty that took its English name from him and ruled for over 600 years. The name also gained prominence through Osman bin Affan, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and the third Caliph of Islam. While no Scottish places bear the name directly, the Ottoman legacy left its mark on many world capitals. A notable variant is Uthman, often used in Arabic-speaking countries, while Usman is common in South Asia.