Oscar: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration

Boy name origins & meanings

Hawaiian : Divine strength
Old Norse : Divine spear

What does Oscar mean and stand for?

The name Oscar is of Old Norse origin and means "champion warrior." Oscar was one of the mightiest warriors of his generation in Old Irish Mythology. The name has many royal roots, as well, becoming a popular choice in Sweden, France, and Spain.

Syllables: 2

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Scandinavian and English : from the personal name Oscar, which is of Gaelic origin, composed of the elements os ‘deer’ + cara ‘friend’. The personal name owes its popularity in Scandinavia and elsewhere to the Ossian poems of James MacPherson (1760), which enjoyed a great vogue in the latter part of the 18th century.

Famous people with this first name

Oscar de la Hoya

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Gillian Anderson

Hugh Jackman

Oscar de la Hoya

What Does the Name Oscar Mean?

The name Oscar has Norse and Irish roots, meaning "God-spear." It has been a popular name for quite some time, maintaining some power in most English-speaking areas.

How Popular is the Name Oscar?

Oscar is the number 226 most popular boys name in the US, according to 2021 Social Security Administration data. It has slowly been falling in popularity, dipping below the top 200 for the first time in 2018.

Throughout history, Oscar has been seen as a literary name, thanks to the likes of Oscar Wilde. In Irish literature, Oscar was one of the most powerful warriors.

However, it is the 8th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

Popularity of the Name Oscar in the United States

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Oscar was at its peak popularity in February 2019.

Oscar was searched for most often in the following states:

District of Columbia
New York
California
New Jersey
Florida

Famous People Named Oscar and Oscar in Pop Culture

Aside from the aforementioned Oscar Wilde and the great warrior Oscar, Oscar has been a very popular name in pop culture. Not only are there the Oscars, but the name also invokes images of boxer Oscar de la Hoya, actor Oscar Isaac, and YouTuber Oscar Morales. The name has been a popular choice for celebrity babies, as well, having been chosen by: Hugh Jackman, Mark Griffiths, Karen Cheryl, and Berry Humphries. Oscar has also been popular in pop culture, appearing in Sesame Street, Wizard of Oz, The Office, Arrested Development, and The Walking Dead.