Find out how popular the first name Oslo has been for the last 17 years (from 2007 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Oslo by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Oslo is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 85 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Oslo.

The history of the first name Oslo

The name Oslo has its origins in Old Norse, the language spoken by the Norse people from Scandinavia and parts of Northern Europe during the Viking Age, which lasted from the late 8th century to the late 11th century. It is derived from the Old Norse word "ǫss," which means "estuary" or "inlet," referring to the location of the city of Oslo in Norway, situated at the head of the Oslofjord.

While the exact origin of the name Oslo is uncertain, it is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse word "Ǫslo," which was the original name of the city. This name likely referred to the sheltered location of the settlement, nestled within the fjord.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Oslo dates back to the 12th century, when it appeared in the Old Norse sagas and historical chronicles. One of the most notable references is found in the Heimskringla, a collection of sagas written by the Icelandic scholar and historian Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241), which recounts the history of the Norse kings.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Oslo, though it is relatively uncommon as a given name. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Oslo Engelbrektsson (born around 1390), a Swedish rebel leader who played a significant role in the Engelbrekt Rebellion against the Danish monarch in the 15th century.

Another notable figure was Oslo Johannessen (1560-1624), a Norwegian farmer and landowner who became a prominent figure in the Reformation movement in Norway. He was instrumental in establishing the first Lutheran church in the country.

In the 19th century, Oslo Aunanrud (1808-1883) was a Norwegian painter known for his landscapes and portraits. He is considered one of the pioneers of Norwegian romantic nationalism in art.

More recently, Oslo Østås (1922-2006) was a Norwegian architect and urban planner who made significant contributions to the development of modern architecture in Norway during the post-World War II era.

One of the most famous individuals named Oslo in recent times was Oslo Veiby (1922-2015), a Norwegian actor and comedian renowned for his performances in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout his career spanning over six decades.

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

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

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