Hosea is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Old Testament figure Hosea son of Beeri who was a prophet during the 8th century BCE. The name Hosea means "salvation" or "help". In the biblical narrative, Hosea was instructed by God to marry Gomer, a woman of ill repute, as a metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God. This story is recounted in the Book of Hosea.
The name Hosea has been used throughout history, with notable figures including Hosea Ballou (1771-1852), an American Universalist minister and theologian, and Hosea Hudson (1919-2010), a civil rights activist and co-founder of the Alabama Civic Affairs Association.
Today, Hosea remains a unique and uncommon name, but its biblical significance continues to make it appealing to those seeking a meaningful name with deep historical roots.
The name Hosea has seen a significant decline in popularity over the past century, with its peak occurring in the late 1800s. Between 1880 and 1923, there were an average of 46 births per year bearing this name. However, from 1924 onwards, the annual average dropped to approximately 35 births per year. The most recent data shows that in 2022, there were 56 births named Hosea, indicating a continued downward trend in popularity for this once-common name.