Oscar
Oscar is a boys' name of Irish origin meaning “deer friend, or god's spear.” It ranked #223 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Oscar?
OS-kur
where does the name Oscar come from?
The modern name blends two originally separate names: one from Irish mythology, the name of Fionn mac Cumhaill's grandson, read as deer and friend or perhaps as outsider, and a Germanic Oscar or Oskar from elements meaning god and spear, as in Oswald.
Oscar blends two names: an Irish one, from os, deer, and cara, friend, borne by the grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill in Irish mythology, and a Germanic one meaning god's spear. James Macpherson's Ossian poems revived it in 1765, and Oscar Wilde made it famous worldwide.
how popular is this name?
Oscar has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #26 in 1883, and ranked #223 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #223 |
| 2024 | #216 |
| 2023 | #216 |
| 2022 | #201 |
| 2021 | #226 |
| 2020 | #214 |
| 2019 | #205 |
| 2018 | #206 |
| 2017 | #192 |
| 2016 | #176 |
| 2010 | #147 |
| 2000 | #122 |
| 1990 | #135 |
| 1980 | #175 |
| 1970 | #225 |
| 1960 | #245 |
| 1950 | #192 |
| 1940 | #167 |
| 1930 | #124 |
| 1920 | #90 |
| 1910 | #73 |
| 1900 | #47 |
| 1890 | #29 |
| 1883 | #26 |
| 1880 | #29 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Oscar fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Oscar
James Macpherson revived the name in his Ossian poems (1765), and Napoleon, an admirer of them, gave it to his godson, who became king of Sweden; it is first recorded as a Swedish given name in 1803. Oscar Wilde is among its most famous bearers.
who are famous people named Oscar?
- Oscar Wilde
- Oscar Isaac
- Oscar de la Renta
what are the nicknames and variants of Oscar?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Oscar?
what names go well with Oscar?
Sibling names that share Oscar's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Oscar
What does the name Oscar mean?
Oscar means “deer friend, or god's spear”.
What is the origin of the name Oscar?
Oscar comes from the Irish naming tradition. Related forms include Oskar.
How popular is the name Oscar?
Oscar ranked #223 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1883, at #26, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Oscar a boy or girl name?
Oscar is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Oscar?
Oscar is pronounced OS-kur, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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