Osbert is a rare and historic given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German elements 'os' meaning 'god' and 'bern' meaning 'bear'. It was introduced into England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages but has since become quite uncommon, with only a few individuals bearing this name today. Osbert is often associated with notable historical figures such as Saint Osbert of Chichester, a Benedictine monk and bishop who lived in the late 12th century.
Osbert is not among the most popular baby names, with only 11 recorded births in total over nearly four decades (1971 to 2008).