UK name, mostly girls
Esosa
A gender-neutral Nigerian name meaning "no one is greater than God.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 16 boys.
Esosa is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Esosa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 6 births.
This profile covers 62 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1999 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 62 living people in the UK are called Esosa. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Esosa ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 6 girls were registered as Esosa.
- • Esosa is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 62 living people in the UK are estimated to have Esosa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 79.5% of Esosa registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2017
6 births
Estimated living
62
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Esosa
In England and Wales birth records, Esosa has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 20.5% of registrations are for boys and 79.5% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Esosa registered for boys
- Ranked #4,608 in 2020
- 3 boys registered in 2020
- Peak: 2010 (4 births)
Esosa registered for girls
- Ranked #4,843 in 2024
- 4 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2017 (6 births)
Meaning
What does Esosa mean?
The name Esosa originates from the Edo people of southern Nigeria. It is a compound word derived from the Edo language, combining the words "Ẹsa" meaning "leopard" and "Osa" meaning "born on". Thus, Esosa translates to "born on the day of the leopard" or "born on a leopard day".
The Edo people have a long and rich cultural heritage dating back centuries. Their traditional belief system, which includes reverence for certain animals and nature spirits, likely influenced the naming conventions. The leopard, in particular, holds significance as a powerful and respected animal in Edo mythology.
While the name Esosa has its roots in the Edo language and culture, it has been adopted and used across various regions of Nigeria and beyond. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the historical records of the Edo Kingdom, which ruled parts of present-day Edo and Delta states from the 15th to the 19th century.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Esosa. One such figure is Esosa Ozigbo (1929-2008), a Nigerian academic and linguist who made significant contributions to the study of Edo language and literature. Another is Esosa Igbinovia (born 1971), a Nigerian-American lawyer and author known for her work on legal education and diversity.
In the realm of sports, Esosa Imafidon (born 1979) is a former Nigerian sprinter who represented Nigeria in the Olympics and won multiple medals at international competitions. Esosa Soludo (born 1990) is a Nigerian footballer who has played for various clubs in Europe and Africa.
Additionally, Esosa Ojo (born 1992) is a Nigerian-American artist and illustrator whose work has been featured in various publications and exhibitions, showcasing the diverse talents of individuals bearing this name.
While these are just a few examples, the name Esosa has been carried by many individuals throughout history, each contributing to their respective fields and leaving their mark on the cultural tapestry of Nigeria and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Esosa over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Esosa in England and Wales, from 1999 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Esosa, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Esosa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Esosa was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5044 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4976 | 31 | 8 |
| 2000s | #4762 | 17 | 5 |
| 1990s | #3900 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Esosa
- Emily 121,621
- Ella 69,101
- Ellie 63,522
- Evie 52,944
- Emma 50,755
- Eleanor 40,576
- Elizabeth 39,225
- Erin 34,816
- Eva 29,738
- Evelyn 26,911
- Elsie 23,671
- Emilia 22,167
FAQ
Esosa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Esosa in the UK right now?
In 2024, Esosa was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Esosa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 6 babies registered as Esosa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Esosa?
A gender-neutral Nigerian name meaning "no one is greater than God.".
How many people are called Esosa in the UK?
A total of 62 babies have been registered as Esosa across the 17 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.