Oscar
Oscar is a boy's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Derived from Old Norse elements meaning 'god' and 'spear', or Gaelic meaning 'friend of deer'.
Origin and history
Oscar is an ancient name with roots in both Old Norse and Gaelic traditions, broadly meaning 'spear of the gods' or 'deer lover'. It has been continuously used in the United States since at least 1880, maintaining a steady presence across generations. The name gained widespread popularity in Europe through the 18th-century Ossian poems and remains a classic choice.
Popularity in the United States
213,098 babies in the United States have been named Oscar since 1880. It ranks #176 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #216.
States where it is most popular
- CA (22.1 %)
- TX (19.4 %)
- NY (5.1 %)
- IL (4.6 %)
- FL (3.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5,982 |
| 1890-1900 | 5,612 |
| 1900-1910 | 4,517 |
| 1910-1920 | 14,869 |
| 1920-1930 | 17,740 |
| 1930-1940 | 11,373 |
| 1940-1950 | 10,188 |
| 1950-1960 | 11,365 |
| 1960-1970 | 9,908 |
| 1970-1980 | 11,847 |
| 1980-1990 | 15,661 |
| 1990-2000 | 27,885 |
| 2000-2010 | 33,545 |
| 2010-2019 | 22,260 |
| 2020-2029 | 10,346 |
Famous people named Oscar
- Oscar Wilde: playwright, poet
- Oscar Robertson: athlete, basketball player
- Oscar Isaac: actor
Nicknames
Ozzy, Oz
Fun facts
- The popularity of the name across Europe was heavily boosted by the 18th-century Ossianic poems by James Macpherson.
- The nickname 'Oscar' for the Academy Award statuette became official in 1939.