Osama

The Bin Laden association is a shame. I recently met a guy named Osama and he was a lovely lad. Hopefully the negative association that this name has in the West will fade soon.

This name is fine without context. Unfortunately, it’s far too hard to divorce from Osama bin Laden (actually Usama bin Laden according to the commission and the CIA).
I saw someone said his friend named “Osama” goes by “Sam.” I guess it’s kind of like how Ben Stiller’s character in Meet the Parents goes by “Greg” because he doesn’t like being known as “Gaylord”.

I have a friend named Osama, goes by Sam. I feel bad for people who get flack for this name, especially guys who were born pre-2001. I mean, I have the same name as one of Stalin's right hand men during the Great Purge, and you know what they say about glass houses.

I think Osama is the best name in the world and idc what some people say. I'm American and I approve this message!

For obvious reasons, this isn’t the best choice.

Outside of Binny, it's okay.

If I met someone with this name, Osama bin Laden would come to mind, but I would not jump to the conclusion that he admires Osama bin Laden. I would not even jump to the conclusion that his parents admire Osama bin Laden. In Indonesia, there probably are people named Osama who would be nice to Christians and Jews. I would avoid this name until everyone else is aware of that though.

No I can only think of Osama Bin Laden. Not a good choice for a child.

I don’t care about the bin-laden association. It sounds ugly, dowdy and geeky to me anyway.

If you used this, you would probably be considered a crazy anti American at least in America. Besides, all I am able to think of is Bin Laden.

I agree that this particular spelling wouldn't be the best idea in the West, but just remember that "Osama" is just one of many variant transcriptions of the name from Arabic. I actually quite like the North African variation "Oussama", and "Usama" has a nice ring. The meaning is very manly.

This is a nice name, but unfortunately it will always be associated with you know who.

While I understand that it's an Arabic name and has only really come into association with the terrorist, it's not the best idea. In my opinion, not on the same level as Adolf as he affected the world, but still very bad, especially for an American.

I like that the famous guy was accomplished in life even though as a terrorist. He affected more lives (positively or negatively) than everybody that commented on this page and I would like to do that (positively or negatively).

A definite no-no. Same with Adolf or Satan.

Nope. This is like naming your kid Adolf, it's like you think they're the Antichrist or the Devil or whatever.

This name is just a bad idea.

Nobody is going to like your child if their name is Osama. They will be bullied and called a terrorist because of their name. I would actually be worried for my family if my child had this name! People would associate them with terrorists and be very xenophobic. The child will sadly never reach any position of prominence no matter how great they are, because the name will be used as ridiculous proof that they are a bad leader. Please, do not name your child this! It will hinder their school life and career. It actually might have been a cool name, and sounds very nice and exotic, but if you live in the United States, the suspicion and bullying will be fierce. Naming your child Gay would be a better choice! And who wants a namesake like Osama Bin Laden, anyways? Very negative association!

Even without the bin Laden association, I don't like this name. It seems almost feminine, and kind of reminds me of Ozma. I don't know who actually read the books after "The Wizard of Oz", but Ozma was the name of every last queen of Oz.
And plus, most people would think you're naming your son after Osama bin Laden, which most people agree is not the nicest guy around. I admit I really don't know much about him, although I can't say I'd trust anyone who'd kill thousands of people for attention no matter what his name is.

People will always find the lousiest excuses to use this name, like the cliché about people naming their sons Josef in spite of Stalin. However, how many Osamas do people really know? I'm talking about famous Osamas here. You know who this name will be associated with, and I sure assume that any Muslim using this name for their son is making some sort of anti-Western statement.

This is a nice name and I don't really think of Osama Bin-Laden when I hear it.

I think this is a horrible name. Even if it wasn't associated with bin Laden, it sounds ugly to me.

Great Muslim name, I like how it sounds. It's similar to Obama. (: And I'm pretty sure that bin Laden didn't found al-Qaeda, but he was the leader of it during the 9-11 attacks.

I really like this name, and I think it's bad that it will always be associated with Osama Bin Laden! The name Osama makes me think of a strong and determined person.