Name profile

Usama

An Arabic name meaning “lion.”

Meaning and history

Usama is an Arabic masculine name meaning “lion,” traditionally conveying courage and strength. Osama is another common transcription of the same Arabic name. It has been used across Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities for centuries and is not tied to any one modern bearer. A notable bearer is Egyptian footballer and coach Usama Nabih. The transliteration with U rather than O reflects a different rendering of the same Arabic vowels.