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Oscar
Pronounced OS-ker /ˈɒs.kər/High
Meaning: God's spear; from Old Irish os (god) + cara (friend), or Old English os (god) + gar (spear)Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Oscar has multiple possible origins. In Old Irish mythology, Oscar is a warrior grandson of the hero Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill), and the name may come from Old Irish os ('deer') + cara ('friend'). Alternatively, it may derive from Old English Ōs ('god') + gār ('spear'), or from Old Norse. The Irish poet Ossian's son was named Oscar, and the name was revived in Scotland and Scandinavia through the 18th-century Ossian poems.
Oscar was popularized across Europe partly through Napoleon Bonaparte, who named his godson Oscar (later Oscar I of Sweden) after the Ossian character. In the English-speaking world it was a top-50 name in the early 20th century. After a mid-century decline, it has strongly revived in the 21st century and is now a top-200 U.S. name and even higher in several European countries.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)Irish playwright and wit, author of The Importance of Being Earnest.
- ★Oscar de la Renta (1932–2014)Dominican-American fashion designer, one of the most influential in 20th-century fashion.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Oscar mean?
Oscar's meaning is debated; it likely means 'God's spear' from Old English, or 'deer friend' from Old Irish. Both traditions are ancient.
How do you pronounce Oscar?
Oscar is pronounced OS-ker (/ˈɒs.kər/) — two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Oscar a boy or girl name?
Oscar is used exclusively as a boy's name.
How popular is Oscar?
Oscar has been reviving strongly in the 21st century and is now a top-200 U.S. boys' name, even more popular in several European countries.