Oshun

♂ Boy

Pronounced OH-shoon /ˈoʊ.ʃun/Medium

Meaning: From the Yoruba, the name of Oshun — an orisha (deity) of love, beauty, fresh water and rivers (also a river in Nigeria); overwhelmingly associated with a goddess; used for both sexes; here for boys; a deity name; we note the deity nameLow

In 30 seconds: A Yoruba orisha of love and rivers: Oshun. Lyrical, mythic, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for boys).

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Origin LowYoruba

MeaningFrom the Yoruba, the name of Oshun — an orisha (deity) of love, beauty, fresh water and rivers (also a river in Nigeria); overwhelmingly associated with a goddess; used for both sexes; here for boys; a deity name; we note the deity name

U.S. rank (2025)#6349 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births14 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 53

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Oshun comes from the Yoruba — the name of Oshun, an orisha (deity) of love, beauty, fresh water and rivers (also a river in Nigeria; overwhelmingly associated with a goddess; a deity name; we note the deity name). Used for both sexes, here for a boy (slug distinguished; said 'OH-shoon').

In the U.S. it registers thinly. Rare, an-orisha-of-love at the root, and mythic.

Did you know? Oshun is the name of a Yoruba orisha (deity) of love, beauty, fresh water and rivers (also a river in Nigeria) — overwhelmingly a goddess — a lyrical, mythic name, here for a boy, which we flag (we note the deity name; said 'OH-shoon').

Overall data confidence 32%

References — Oshun — deity name noted; unisex

Variations

OsunOshunn

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Oshun…

Yemaya— a fellow Yoruba orisha name

Ola— a kindred Yoruba name

Tayo— another unisex pick

Emma— shares Oshun's Yoruba roots

Darey— a similarly popular pick

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By themeuncertain unisex west-african yoruba deity-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Oshun mean?

Oshun is the name of a Yoruba orisha (deity) of love, beauty and rivers — overwhelmingly a goddess; used for both sexes; here for a boy. We note the deity name.

How do you pronounce Oshun?

It's said OH-shoon /ˈoʊ.ʃun/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Oshun a boy or girl name?

Oshun is a deity name used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Oshun?

Oshun is a very rare name in the U.S.