Oskar first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Oskar has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Oskar

A masculine name of Old German origin meaning "divine spear" or "spear of the gods".

Popularity of Oskar by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Oskar is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 96 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Oskar.

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024960
20231240
20221360
20211210
20201440
20191300
20181340
20171280
20161600
20151120
20141340
20131310
20121360
20111220
20101300
20091370
2008950
2007960
20061130
2005810
2004750
2003610
2002690
2001560
2000390
1999350
1998380
1997270
1996260
1995260
1994260
1993250
1992260
1991160
1990150
198950
1988120
198780
198690
198560
198450
198350
198260
198170
198060
197850
197650
197550

The history of the first name Oskar

The name Oskar has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the Germanic root words "Os" meaning "divine" and "hari" meaning "army" or "warrior." Thus, the name Oskar initially signified a "divine warrior" or a "warrior of God." It emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 8th to 10th centuries, when Old English and other Germanic languages were prevalent across much of northern Europe.

This name gained popularity during the Christian era, particularly among Germanic tribes that had converted to Christianity. It is believed that the name was often bestowed upon children with the hope that they would grow to be valiant and pious warriors, defending their faith and their people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Oskar can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, where it appears as "Ásgeirr" or "Ásgeir," a variation of the same root words. These sagas, which date back to the 13th century, depict tales of Viking heroes and their adventures, lending the name an air of bravery and honor.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Oskar. One of the most famous is the Swedish playwright and novelist Oskar Arnulv Mellander, better known as Oskar Verner (1838-1909), whose works explored themes of love, loss, and social commentary.

Another prominent Oskar was the German filmmaker Oskar Schindler (1908-1974), who is celebrated for his courageous efforts in saving the lives of over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. His story was immortalized in the acclaimed film "Schindler's List."

In the realm of music, the name Oskar is associated with the renowned Swedish composer and conductor Oskar Lindberg (1887-1955), whose works were deeply influenced by the folk music of his homeland.

The literary world has also been graced by individuals bearing this name, such as the Austrian novelist and playwright Oskar Kokoschka (1886-1980), known for his expressionist works that explored themes of love, war, and human psychology.

Finally, one cannot overlook the legacy of Oskar Schlemmer (1888-1943), a German painter, sculptor, and choreographer who played a pivotal role in the Bauhaus movement, pioneering new forms of abstract art and dance.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.

Search
Search
Background shape