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Ossian
Pronounced AH-shən /ˈɑ.ʃən/Medium
Meaning: An anglicized form of the Irish Oisín — from os, 'a deer', plus a diminutive; 'a little deer, a fawn'Medium
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
Ossian is an anglicized form of the Irish Oisín — from os, 'a deer', plus a diminutive — 'a little deer, a fawn' (his mother was said to be a deer-woman). Oisín was the great warrior-poet of Irish legend; James Macpherson's 18th-century 'Ossian' poems made the name a European sensation. A lyrical, legendary name (said 'AH-shən' or 'OSH-ən'; nickname Oss).
In the U.S. it appears in Irish and literary families. Rare, a-little-deer at the root, and legendary.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Ossian mean?
Ossian is the Irish Oisín — 'a little deer, a fawn'.
How do you pronounce Ossian?
It's said AH-shən /ˈɑ.ʃən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Ossian a boy or girl name?
Ossian is a boy's name.
How popular is Ossian?
Ossian is a rare name in the U.S.