UK boy's name
Osei
African masculine name meaning "adventurer" or "God survives".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Osei is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Osei popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3959, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 4 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2002 to 2018. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Osei. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Osei ranked #3959 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 4 boys were registered as Osei.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Osei as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3959
2018
Births in 2018
4
Latest year
Peak year
2008
4 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Meaning
What does Osei mean?
The name Osei is of Akan origin, deriving from the Akan people of Ghana and Ivory Coast in West Africa. It has its roots in the Twi language spoken by the Akan. The name can be traced back to the 17th century during the height of the Ashanti Empire, one of the most powerful states in the region.
Osei is believed to have evolved from the Akan word 'ɔse', which means 'priest' or 'spiritual leader'. This likely reflects the deep connection the Akan people had with their spiritual beliefs and practices, as well as the important role played by religious figures in their society.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Osei can be found in the Akan oral tradition, where it appears in stories and folktales passed down through generations. These tales often featured characters with the name Osei, highlighting its cultural significance.
In the 18th century, Osei Tutu I (c. 1695-1717) was an influential Asantehene (king) of the Ashanti Empire. He is credited with expanding the empire's territory and consolidating its power through military conquests and diplomatic alliances. His reign marked a golden age for the Ashanti people.
Another notable figure was Osei Bonsu (c. 1810-1884), a powerful chief and military leader from the Ashanti region. He played a pivotal role in the wars against the British during the latter half of the 19th century, leading the Ashanti resistance against colonial expansion.
In more recent times, Osei Kwadwo Prempeh II (1892-1970) was the 15th Asantehene of the Ashanti Confederacy. He was a vocal advocate for Ashanti sovereignty and played a significant role in the fight for Ghana's independence from British colonial rule.
Another notable figure is Osei Tutu II (1950-present), the current Asantehene and the 16th ruler of the Ashanti Kingdom. He has been instrumental in preserving Ashanti culture and traditions while also promoting development and education in the region.
Osei Agyeman Prempeh (1910-1989) was a Ghanaian politician and diplomat who served as the first Asante Omanhene (paramount chief) after Ghana's independence. He played a crucial role in the country's transition to self-governance and worked to bridge the gap between traditional authority and modern governance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Osei over time
The chart below shows babies named Osei registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Osei, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2018, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Osei by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Osei 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3959 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3557 | 13 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Osei
- Oliver 157,197
- Oscar 67,495
- Owen 33,517
- Ollie 13,193
- Oakley 9,838
- Omar 6,823
- Otis 6,395
- Oskar 4,827
- Olly 4,403
- Otto 3,839
- Osian 3,145
- Owain 2,310
FAQ
Osei: questions and answers
How popular is the name Osei in the UK right now?
In 2018, Osei was ranked #3959 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Osei most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 4 babies registered as Osei in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Osei?
African masculine name meaning "adventurer" or "God survives".
How many people are called Osei in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Osei across the 5 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.