Oscar

English or Irish

"God spear, or deer-lover or champion warrior"

Oscar Origin and Meaning

The name Oscar is a boy's name of English, Irish origin meaning "God spear, or deer-lover or champion warrior".

Oscar is one of the most stylish Old Man Names of our era. While it's softened slightly in popularity over the past 20 years, that may be considered a very good thing.

In the nineties and the aughties, Oscar looked to be one of the grandpa names heading straight for the top of the charts, ala Elijah or Theodore. But instead of rising into the Top 100, Oscar has settled into that comfortable place between being too far in or out.

Oscar has Irish and Norse roots—Norse Oscar comes from the Old English Osgar, a variation of the Old Norse name Ásgeirr. The Irish form was derived from the Gaelic elements os, meaning "deer," and car, "loving." In Irish legend, Oscar was one of the mightiest warriors of his generation, the son of Ossian and the grandson of Finn Mac Cumhaill (MacCool).

Oscar also has remarkable international versatility. In addition to being a top name in Sweden, where it has royal connection, Oscar ranks high on popularity lists in all the English-speaking countries as well as in France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and other European and Latin American countries.

Actors Hugh Jackman and Gillian Anderson chose Oscar for their sons.Famous Oscars include Wilde (whose given name was Fingal), Isaac, Madison, Hammerstein, Peterson, de la Renta, the Academy Award, and the Grouch.

Oscar Popularity

• 201 US 2022
• 24 Nameberry 2024
• 600 Future 2028
• 8 England 2021
• 28 Scotland 2023
• 30 Ireland 2023
• 22 Australia 2022
• 20 New Zealand 2023
• 74 France 2022
• 14 Germany 2017
• 84 Netherlands 2022
• 98 Spain 2019
• 17 Sweden 2022
• 4 Denmark 2022
• 11 Belgium 2022
• 143 Switzerland 2022
• 55 Dogs 2022
• 13 Cats 2022
• 136 Canada 2022
• 95 Mexico 2021