The baby name Ozzy is one-part cozy Americana, two-parts heavy metal cool.
Thanks to Abby for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME OZZY MEAN?
Almost all of the Os- names have Norse roots, many via Old English. The ‘os’ element comes from ás – god.
DMNES lists Oswald, Osborn, Osbert, Oswin and plenty of others you probably haven’t heard on a baby lately, though many of them remain common as surnames.
There’s also Osmond, and it’s possible to imagine an unrelated name like Orson becoming Ozzy, too.
OZZIE AND HARRIET
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet started out on the radio in the 1940s, leapt to television in 1952, and ran right through 1963.
The series starred the real life Nelson family: sons David and Ricky, mom Harriet, and, of course, dad Ozzie.
Oswald Nelson started out as a band leader. Harriet, born Peggy Louise, was a singer.
Ozzie was in steady, if sparing use, in the era. But it doesn’t seem directly tied to Nelson.
In any case, the radio-turned-television series is ancient history for this generation of parents. Instead of wholesome Americana, the name has a very different vibe.
OZZY OSBOURNE
But then along came John Michael Osbourne. Ozzy was his childhood nickname.
In the early 1970s, he was the voice behind the legendary Black Sabbath. Osbourne launched a solo career in the 1980s, and became a reality star in the 2000s.
Today Osbourne is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and, after his reality show and other ventures, seems more like somebody’s eccentric grandpa than a threat.
But that wouldn’t have been the case in the 1970s, thanks to many occult references in the music. During the 1980s, he bit the head off a live bat – legend has it that he thought it was rubber.
And yet, in 1982 nine boys were named Ozzy – the first time more than five newborns were given the name in a single year. The singer served as baby name inspiration, at least for a few parents.
Osbourne’s 2025 passing could raise this name’s profile even more.
MORE OZZYS AND OZZIES
Of course, Ozzy could easily be short for any given name or surname starting with Os or Oz. Retired NHL goalie Chris “Ozzie” Osgood is one example.
There’s also Oswald, Oswaldo, and Osvaldo, as well as Oscar. Ambrose or even Otis could also shorten to the fun nickname.
You might think of:
- Known as The Wizard, Osborne “Ozzie” Smith was a player from the 1980s and early 1990s, now a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Venezuelan-born Oswaldo Barrios also used the nickname and played Major League baseball. He later managed the Chicago White Sox during the team’s 2005 World Series win.
- Survivor and American Ninja Warrior alum Ozzy Lusth was born Oscar.
- There’s an Osvaldo in The Godfather: Part III.
- Ozzie is a dog in the animated movie Epic.
- A character called just Oz appeared in early seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the same show that launched favorites like Xander and Willow.
It sounds quite close to Aussie, as in Australian – particularly when pronounced with an Australian accent. That’s likely another positive association that lends the name some extra appeal.
OZZY AS AN INDEPENDENT NAME
There are plenty of formal names that shorten to Ozzy. But Ozzy or Ozzie on its own has potential, too.
- Max Greenfield of The New Girl has a son named Ozzie James, a little brother for Lily.
- Actors Annie Wersching and Stephen Full have two sons: Freddie and Ozzie.
- Actress Mandy Moore is a mom of three: Gus (August), Ozzie (Oscar), and Lou (Louise).
As a nickname, Ozzie seems quite popular.
But when it comes to independent names, the numbers actually give this one to the baby name Ozzy.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME OZZY?
After debuting in the US popularity data as a boy’s name in 1982, the baby name Ozzy slowly gained in use.
By 2000, 39 children received the baby boy name Ozzy. By 2015, that number reached 70.
In 2021, the baby name Ozzy debuted in the US Top 1000 at #713. As of 2024, it stands at #602, down slightly from a peak in 2023.
As for Ozzie, that spelling was given to 131 boys in 2024.
In addition, names like Oscar, Ozias, and Osiris rank in the 2024 Top 1000. Combined with middle names and kids with an Os/Oz last name, chances are that Ozzy is more common than these numbers suggest.
CASUAL COOL CHOICE FOR A SON
While the name may have gotten an early boost from the heavy metal style of Osborne, today it seems likely to appeal to parents after something offbeat, nickname-proof, and casual. The British are wild for nickname names like Alfie and Jack, and some American parents have also embraced the trend.
Overall, it’s a name that hits a sweet spot for some parents – just edgy enough, thanks to the rock and roll connection and the letter Z. But it remains friendly, even playful, in sound – and it’s even a tiny bit nostalgic and Americana, too, thanks to the Nelson family.
What do you think of the baby name Ozzy?
First published on May 26, 2016, this post was revised on July 24, 2025.
My son’s legal name is Ozzy and it just suits him so well! He’s 3 years old now and all of his friends love his name and he does too. Happy I went with just Ozzy since I knew that was what I was going to call him anyway.
My husband wants to name our son Ozzy so bad. I like it! We are a beach/surfing /outdoors family so it would fit him well I believe.
My son’s legal name is Ozzy Henry Robert… he is my fourth child… and my husband and I always said that from the start his name was going to be Ozzy!!! I absolutely love his name I don’t regret it in anyway … not for one second … and I also get a lot of cool comments about his name. And he is Ozzy to the Bone through and through Wild Child
My son is Oswald (a family name), Ossie for short. I preferred the spelling after reading about the legendary fashion designer Ossie Clark.
I’m so glad you did a piece on Ozzy. I love this name so much. I normally don’t believe that shortened forms of names need a formal name, but in this case, I do sort of feel like it needs a more substantial given name. If given the choice, I would use Oscar in an instant, but can’t convince my husband. Oswald is high on my list, but I go back and forth on whether that would be wearable on a real person.
I may have to convince myself that Ozzy is wonderful enough to stand all on it’s own. 🙂
Have you considered other names that could lead to Ozzy? They might be more out there, but they’d get the job done: Ozias/Osias, Osric, or Oslo.
Aus- names like Austin or Augustus could get you to Aussie/Ozzie too. More of a stretch would be names like Maurice, Horace, etc., or their latinized forms: Mauricio or Oracio/Horatio.
Ozzy is great, though I don’t think I’d use it on its own as it’s just too informal for me.
I’m always on the hunt for the perfect long form for it, but I still don’t think I’ve found “the one”. Oz on its own feels too short and informal; Oscar is super-handsome but far too popular here in the UK; Oswald, Oswin, Osbert and the like feel too consciously clunky-cool; Ozias, Oslo and Osiris seem pretty far “out there” just to get to friendly nickname Ozzy…
Maybe Orson? Otto? Not sure either of those really work though…
That’s a good point, Emma. I think I’d be much morel likely to consider this name if there was an obvious formal version. I like Oswald in theory, but I’m not sure I’d ever be so brave!
Emma, these may be too far out there as well, but have you considered: Osric, Cosmo, or Roswell. There’s always other names that have Os next to each other like Roscoe. Additionally, you could make a nickname out of initials with O first name and a S/Z middle making Ozzy.