Ozzie

Ozzie is a masculine given name or nickname, often derived from longer names such as Osborne, Oswald, Oscar, Osvaldo, or Oz. It is used primarily in English-speaking countries and sometimes adopted as a standalone given name. The related spelling Ozzy is common and is widely associated with the rock entertainer Ozzy Osbourne; however, Ozzie remains in use in various contexts, especially in North America.

Prominent individuals named Ozzie include Ozzie Smith (born 1954), an American Hall of Fame shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals; Ozzie Guillen (born 1964), Venezuelan former baseball player and manager who led the Chicago White Sox to the 2005 World Series title; Ozzie Albies (born 1997), Dominican-American professional baseball second baseman for the Atlanta Braves; Ozzie Nelson (1903–1975), American bandleader and star of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet; and Ozzie Newsome (born 1951), American former tight end and longtime executive for the Baltimore Ravens.

Usage and cultural notes: In the United States, the name Ozzie gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a nickname for Oswald or Osborne and has since become established as a stand-alone name for some individuals. It remains primarily masculine, though as a nickname its pronunciation or spelling can vary by region.

Related spellings and variants include Ozzy, a spelling more commonly linked to Ozzy Osbourne.