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Usman

Boy name · 135 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Usman: 135 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 10 births in 1993.

Usman is the Arabic form of Uthman, meaning “baby bustard” (a desert bird) or, by extension, “wise companion” – it was the name of the third Caliph of Islam, Usman ibn Affan, a key figure in early Islamic history. The name has been borne by notable figures including Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja and Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer, while the variant spelling Othman appears across North Africa and the Middle East. Though not directly linked to a Scottish place, Usman has become increasingly popular among Scotland’s Muslim communities, reflecting the country’s growing cultural diversity. The name also shares its root with the Turkish Osman, founder of the Ottoman Empire, giving it a far‑reaching historical resonance.