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Home › Baby Names Directory › Osceola

Osceola

♂ Boy

Pronounced os-ee-OH-lah

Meaning: black drink crier (from asi-yahola, cry of the black drink ceremony)

In 30 seconds: Osceola anglicizes the Mvskoke phrase Asi Yahola — 'Black Drink Singer' — the ceremonial title given during the sacred yaupon holly purification ritual.
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Origin Creek, Native American
Meaningblack drink crier (from asi-yahola, cry of the black drink ceremony)
U.S. rank (2009)#13943 ↘ Falling
2009 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1917
Total births (all-time)≈ 61

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191719172009

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Osceola derives from the Mvskoke (Creek) phrase Asi Yahola (also written Vsse Yvholv), meaning 'Black Drink Singer' or 'cry of the black drink ceremony.' Asi names the ceremonial tea brewed from yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), consumed in purification rituals before councils and battles, while yahola denotes the ceremonial cry sung during its use. The name was the ceremonial title of the Seminole leader (c. 1804–1838) who resisted U.S. removal during the Second Seminole War. Born Billy Powell into a Creek family, he was captured under a flag of truce in 1837 and died at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina.

Did you know? The black drink in Osceola's name was a caffeinated tea brewed from yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), used in Creek and Seminole purification ceremonies before councils.
Wikipedia — Osceola — Vsse Yvholv in Creek, also spelled Asi-yahola; influential Seminole leader (1804–1838).Cambridge University Press — Ceremony, Medicine, Caffeinated Tea (2021) — Osceola's name comes from the drink; non-anglicized "Asi Yahola" literally means "Black Drink Singer."

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If you like Osceola…

Harjo— Mvskoke (Creek) name from the same linguistic and cultural tradition
Cetto— Mvskoke (Creek) clan-linked name from the same people
Holata— Creek name with ceremonial and leadership associations
Menewa— Creek name meaning great warrior, parallel historical warrior tradition

Frequently Asked

What does Osceola mean?

Osceola anglicizes the Mvskoke phrase Asi Yahola, meaning 'Black Drink Singer' — a ceremonial title honoring the one who sings during the sacred yaupon holly purification ritual.

How do you pronounce Osceola?

os-ee-OH-lah. Four syllables with stress on the third.

What was the black drink?

The black drink was a ceremonially prepared tea brewed from yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), drunk in purification rituals by Creek and Seminole communities before important councils and battles.

Who was the historical Osceola?

Osceola (c. 1804–1838) was a Seminole leader of Creek heritage who led resistance to U.S. Indian removal during the Second Seminole War until his capture under a flag of truce in 1837.

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