Find out how popular the last name Oscar is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Oscar.

Oscar, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Oscar surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oscar in America

Oscar is the 16214th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oscar surname appeared 1,781 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Oscar.

We can also compare 2010 data for Oscar to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Oscar

The surname Oscar has its origins in Spain, tracing back to the early medieval period around the 6th century. It is derived from the Germanic name Oskar, which is composed of the elements "os" meaning "god" and "car" meaning "army" or "warrior." The name was likely introduced to the Iberian Peninsula during the Visigothic rule in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Oscar appears in the Codex Calixtinus, a 12th-century manuscript that details the legends and miracles associated with the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. In this text, a nobleman named Oscar is mentioned as a supporter of the Camino de Santiago.

In the 13th century, the name Oscar was found in various historical records from the Kingdom of Aragon, including the Census of Aragon conducted in 1285. Notable individuals bearing this surname during this period include Oscar de Montblanc (1220-1289), a prominent knight who participated in the Reconquista against the Moors.

As the name spread throughout Spain, it also took on different spellings and variations, such as Oscariz and Oscariz-Martín. These variants were often associated with specific regions or localities, reflecting the influence of local dialects and naming traditions.

One of the most renowned figures with the surname Oscar was Mariano Oscar de Novoa (1790-1857), a Spanish military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 1853 to 1854. His contributions during the Carlist Wars and his advocacy for liberal reforms left a lasting impact on Spanish history.

Another noteworthy individual was Emilio Oscar Mendoza (1844-1912), a renowned Spanish artist and painter who was celebrated for his depictions of historical and religious scenes. His works adorned numerous churches and public buildings across Spain, showcasing his mastery of the Romantic and Realist styles.

In the literary realm, Sebastián Oscar Córdova (1865-1932) was a prominent Spanish poet and novelist known for his evocative descriptions of rural life and the natural world. His poetry collections, such as "Cantos de la Tierra" (Songs of the Earth), earned him widespread acclaim and a place among the most celebrated writers of his time.

The surname Oscar also found its way into the realm of music with figures like Javier Oscar García (1910-1989), a renowned Spanish composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the development of contemporary Spanish classical music. His compositions, including symphonies and concertos, were performed by leading orchestras worldwide.

While the surname Oscar has its roots in Spain, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. Despite its widespread distribution, the name remains a proud testament to its rich Spanish heritage and the remarkable individuals who have carried it throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oscar

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Oscar.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Oscar was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Oscar has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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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