Osric

♂ Boy

Pronounced OZ-rik /ˈɒz.rɪk/High

Meaning: From Old English os ('god') plus ric ('ruler, power') — 'god-ruler'. Borne by early Anglo-Saxon kings, and best known today as the fussy courtier Osric in Shakespeare's Hamlet.Medium

In 30 seconds: An Anglo-Saxon name with real weight: Osric means 'god-ruler' (said 'OZ-rik'). Shakespeare gave the name to a courtier in Hamlet.

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Origin MediumOld English

MeaningFrom Old English os ('god') plus ric ('ruler, power') — 'god-ruler'. Borne by early Anglo-Saxon kings, and best known today as the fussy courtier Osric in Shakespeare's Hamlet.

U.S. rank (2022)#11929 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2015

Total births (all-time)≈ 125

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

Osric is Old English: os ('god') and ric ('ruler'), the same building blocks behind Oswald and Roderick. Anglo-Saxon rulers bore it, and Shakespeare later used it for a minor courtier in Hamlet — a literary association families may as well know about (said 'OZ-rik').

It is rare in the U.S. today, a quiet revival name for parents drawn to early English roots. Rare, old, and sturdy.

Did you know? Osric was carried by Anglo-Saxon kings long before Shakespeare handed it to the chattering courtier in Hamlet — a name with a thousand years behind it (said 'OZ-rik').

Overall data confidence 70%

References — Osric — Old English os + ric; Anglo-Saxon kings; Shakespeare's Hamlet

Variations

OsrickOsryc

Nicknames

OzRic

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Osric…

Oswald— shares the os ('god') element

Cedric— a like Anglo-Saxon-flavored pick

Alaric— another ric ('ruler') name

Roderick— shares the 'ruler' ending and sound

Explore names like Osric

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Osric mean?

Osric comes from Old English os ('god') and ric ('ruler') — 'god-ruler'.

How do you pronounce Osric?

It's said OZ-rik /ˈɒz.rɪk/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Osric a boy or girl name?

Osric is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Osric?

Osric is a rare name for boys in the U.S.