Why Is Osama Bin Laden listed as "Usama" on Most Wanted List?

Arabic alphabet is different from the Roman alphabet that majority of the Western world uses. As both alphabet differs, the only reliable instrument would be the sound or pronunciation of the noun. Since most Western news hear the name but cannot spell, they opted to 'romanize' the pronunciation in order to be used. Since pronunciation is not as exact as sleeping (oral is not as reliable as in written) there are a lot of spelling variants just for a single name. In addition, as long as facial recognition and DNA is matched, there is no point to be fussing over spellings.

I think it's because we are all idiots. Weird also how USAMA is a combination of USA and MA. You say potato....

When translating Semetic languages line Arabic and Hebrew into English, people take liberties with letters, and equivalents. I read somewhere that both are acceptable. Also, might have something to do with not mixing up Osama and Obama, in some potentially embarrassing typos.

Name are often spelt stylishly by different cultures and it still makes meaningly to the hearer. English names are still spelt in such a manner like arabic names. I think the most important thing is that someone understand what you are referring to. be it osama, usama, ghaddafi, qaddafi,muhammend, mohammed etc If someone still understand you, there is no problem, at least communication has been establish one does not need to loose sleep over names