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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Oshan?

41 replies

WhiskyCollins · 14/07/2022 12:11

I’m having a moment where I really love the name Oshan for a boy but I have no sense of how popular it is, or is about to be.

I’m a bit worried (although not a deal breaker) of picking a name that’s unusual at the time but goes on to have a massive surge in popularity (eg Arlo which I’d never even heard of until a couple of years ago and now there’s a load of them it seems).

I’m not precious about having a ‘unique’ name or anything but I don’t really want a name that feels too trendy. I’m wondering if I might be better off picking a more classic, slow and steady name that’s already middlingly popular and won’t surge or date…ideas for this welcome!

So my question to those with their ear to the ground- do you predict a plague of Oshans any time soon? Or is this just one of those things that’s impossible to predict?

(nothing wrong with the name Arlo btw I do think it’s lovely, just the first example that came to mind of the phenomenon I’m talking about).

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CaffiSaliMali · 14/07/2022 14:52

I would spell it as Osian.

It's very popular in Wales (ranked 21 in the Welsh top 100 in 2020) but it won't be anywhere near as high in the combined England and Wales stats. I don't think it's at imminent risk of becoming very popular outside of Wales.

It's my favourite name for a boy but I can't see DH agreeing unfortunately!

I am also in London and I can't see any issues using it in London. I know someone who has an Oisín (the Irish version of the name) and people have learned how to say and spell it.

SageRosemary · 14/07/2022 14:10

BlueKaftan · 14/07/2022 13:09

Foil Arms and Hogg. A fabulous Irish comedy group, and one of the characters is Osian. 🥰

Yes, Foil Arms & Hog are completely fabulous, I'd highly recommend going to see them live but the character's name is Oisín - pronounced uh-sheen. The name meaning in Irish is little deer.

Donotgogentle · 14/07/2022 13:59

Oshan is how Osian is pronounced. I’ve never seen the name Oshan.

Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim · 14/07/2022 13:55

ShirleyPhallus · 14/07/2022 13:48

Oh the irony Grin

Show quote history

I'm dyslexic but not cruel enough to stamp and name on a kid with a ridiculous spelling. No irony at all.

My poor spelling isn't another's misfortune

ShirleyPhallus · 14/07/2022 13:48

Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim · 14/07/2022 13:04

If your going to use a name spell it properly

Oh the irony Grin

GogLais · 14/07/2022 13:33

Not spelt like that.
I know far too many Osians to even consider it

SpaghettiNotCourgetti · 14/07/2022 13:10

I did wonder whether you meant Osian or Ossian and decided you couldn't because Oshan is such a weird spelling - I thought it must be a totally different name. That's all that spelling it like that will achieve, really - people who know Os(s)ian might not recognise that that's what you're getting at, and people who don't won't be any the wiser anyway.

Love Osian, though. It's on my dream names list (list of names that my husband would never let me use Hmm).

BlueKaftan · 14/07/2022 13:09

Foil Arms and Hogg. A fabulous Irish comedy group, and one of the characters is Osian. 🥰

Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim · 14/07/2022 13:04

If your going to use a name spell it properly

ShirleyPhallus · 14/07/2022 12:29

I’ve never heard of it before and absolutely love it, spelt the welsh way

Original poster
WhiskyCollins · 14/07/2022 12:26

I prefer the Welsh spelling tbh but was concerned about people knowing how to pronounce it in England. Although I do have a cousin called Siân based here who doesn’t get any pronunciation issues to maybe people will manage. Granted that’s a more well recognised name…

OP posts:
Glitterspy · 14/07/2022 12:21

I didn’t know about the Welsh. Are you Welsh or have welsh connections? If not it reads like a deliberate mis-spelling of the word Ocean. That’s not good - for me, mis-spellings are always chavvy.

Original poster
WhiskyCollins · 14/07/2022 12:19

I’m in London but partner and I both have welsh connections/family despite being England-born ourselves. I’ve seen it spelt both ways and picked the one that I think is less likely to cause confusion - I do think the Osian spelling is prettier though…

OP posts:
sageandbasil · 14/07/2022 12:19

I know 2 little babies just born with this name. It's alright but not my fave

SirVixofVixHall · 14/07/2022 12:17

It is v popular here in Wales. It is spelt Osian, not Oshan . Welsh does not have an SH .

Bigoldmachine · 14/07/2022 12:13

do you live in Wales? I understand it’s a very popular Welsh name but not heard often in England (with a different spelling traditionally). I am not Welsh but have a Welsh friend with an Osian. It’s lovely and suits him well!

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