Find out how popular the first name Oberon has been for the last 18 years (from 2007 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Oberon by gender

Based on the last 18 years of data, Oberon is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 30 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Oberon.

The history of the first name Oberon

The name Oberon has its origins in the medieval French romance poem Le Roman de la Rose, written in the 13th century by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. It was derived from the French name Auberon, which itself was based on the Old French albere, meaning "elf king" or "dwarf king."

The name Oberon first gained prominence in the 16th century, when it was used by William Shakespeare in his play A Midsummer Night's Dream (1595-96). In the play, Oberon is the king of the fairies and is depicted as a powerful and mischievous figure who rules over the natural world.

Prior to Shakespeare's use of the name, there are few recorded instances of it being used as a given name. However, the character of Oberon has its roots in medieval European folklore and mythology, where he was often portrayed as a trickster figure or a ruler of the fairy realm.

One of the earliest known references to Oberon as a name comes from the German epic poem Das Lied vom Hürnen Seyfrid (The Song of the Horned Siegfried), written in the 13th century. In this poem, Oberon is depicted as a dwarf king who helps the hero Siegfried on his quest.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Oberon. These include Oberon Gaitskel (1615-1687), an English Puritan minister and writer; Oberon Lenoble (1618-1694), a French painter and engraver; and Oberon Vick (1845-1923), an American politician and businessman.

In the realm of literature, the name Oberon has been used by various authors, including Edmund Spenser in his epic poem The Faerie Queene (1590-96), and Ben Jonson in his masque Oberon, the Faery Prince (1611).

Other notable individuals named Oberon include Oberon Zell-Ravenheart (born 1942), an American Neopagan leader and author; and Oberon Sexton (born 1953), an American actor and musician.

While the name Oberon is not as common as some other names, it has maintained a presence throughout history, particularly in literary and artistic circles, where its association with fairy lore and mythology has made it a popular choice.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Oberon was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Oberon, please contact us.

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