Find out how popular the first name Oscar has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Oscar by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Oscar is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Oscar being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,693 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Oscar.

The history of the first name Oscar

The name Oscar has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the Old Norse name Ásgeirr or Ásgarðr. The first part of the name, "ás," refers to the gods of Norse mythology, and the second part, "geirr" or "garðr," means "spear" or "enclosure," respectively. This suggests the name may have initially meant "spear of the gods" or "enclosure of the gods."

Oscar gained popularity across various Germanic languages, including Old English, Old Norse, and Old German, during the early medieval period. It was a common name among the Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon populations of the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Oscar can be found in the Icelandic Landnámabók, a medieval text that chronicles the settlement of Iceland. The text mentions an Ásgeir Ásgeirsson, who lived in the 9th century and is considered one of the earliest known individuals to bear the name.

In the 12th century, the name appeared in the Old English epic poem Beowulf, where a character named Oscferd is mentioned. This is one of the earliest known references to the name in English literature.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Oscar. One of the earliest was Oscar I of Sweden (1799-1859), who reigned as King of Sweden and Norway from 1844 until his death. Another famous Oscar was the Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), known for his wit and works such as "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Importance of Being Earnest."

In the field of science, Oscar Minkowski (1858-1931) was a German physician and pioneer in the study of diabetes, while Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012) was a renowned Brazilian architect famous for his modernist designs.

Other notable figures include Oscar Romero (1917-1980), the Archbishop of San Salvador who was assassinated for his advocacy of human rights, and Oscar Schindler (1908-1974), the German industrialist who saved the lives of over a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.

The name Oscar has a rich history, spanning various cultures and time periods, and has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including royalty, artists, scientists, and humanitarians.

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 Oscar was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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