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Oscar as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Oscar

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The baby name Oscar is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced UK: /ˈɒskə(r)/; US: /ˈɑskər/ (phonetic: "OSS-kər").

Oscar is Irish in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: UK: /ˈɒskə(r)/; US: /ˈɑskər/ (phonetic: "OSS-kər")

What is the meaning of the name Oscar ?

The baby name Oscar is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced UK: /ˈɒskə(r)/; US: /ˈɑskər/ (phonetic: "OSS-kər").

Oscar is Irish in Origin.

With twin linguistic roots, Oscar comes from Old Irish Óscar, built from os “deer” and cara “friend/lover,” yielding “friend of the deer.” It names a famed warrior of the Fenian Cycle, grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill. In parallel, the Scandinavian and Germanic form Oskar reflects Old Norse ás “god” and geirr “spear,” often glossed as “divine spear,” a strand that merged with the Gaelic name across Europe.

The name spread widely after James Macpherson’s Ossian poems (1760s) captivated Europe; Napoleon, an admirer, chose Oscar for his godson, later King Oscar I of Sweden–Norway, cementing Nordic fashion. In the Anglophone world it rose in the 19th century and remains familiar through figures like Oscar Wilde. Variants include Oskar (German, Polish, Scandinavian), Óscar (Spanish, Portuguese), and Óskar (Icelandic); short forms Oz, Ozzie, and Ossie are common. The meaning blends grace with martial strength.

Oscar has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Oscar

Óscar Arias Sánchez Politician · Born 1941 · Costa Rica Óscar Arias Sánchez is a prominent Costa Rican politician best known for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to end civil wars in Central America. He served as the President of Costa Rica twice, first from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010. Oscar II of Sweden Royal · Born 1829 · Sweden Oscar II of Sweden was the King of Sweden from 1872 until 1907. He is most famous for his efforts to maintain peace in Scandinavia and his interest in literature and culture. During his reign, he also supported the arts and sciences, fostering a period of cultural growth in Sweden. Oscar I of Sweden Royal · Born 1799 · Sweden Oscar I of Sweden was the King of Sweden and Norway from 1844 to 1859. He is most famous for his progressive reforms in education and social welfare during his reign. His efforts helped modernize the Swedish state and improve the lives of its citizens.
Oscar Isaac Actor · Born 1979 · United States Oscar Isaac is an actor from the United States, best known for his role as Poe Dameron in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He also starred in films like Ex Machina and Inside Llewyn Davis, showcasing his versatility and talent across different genres. Óscar Casas Actor · Born 1998 · Spain Óscar Casas is a Spanish actor best known for his role in the popular TV series 'Cuéntame cómo pasó'. Born in 1998, he has also appeared in films like 'El Orfanato' and 'Los Rodríguez y el más allá'. Oscar Levant Actor · Born 1906 · United States Oscar Levant was an American actor and pianist, best known for his role in the film 'An American in Paris'. He was also famous for his witty personality and musical performances, including his interpretation of George Gershwin's works.

Oscar – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2025 #1 — 836
SV 0 #3 9 283
HN 0 #4 22 704
SV Boys 0 #7 26 352
HN Boys 0 #8 63 749
KR 0 #8 1 201
CR Boys 0 #10 5,312 10,188
GT Boys 0 #11 5,983 7,625
BI 0 #12 1 425
Belgium Boys 2024 #14 287 401
CO Boys 0 #16 69,931 15,656
GT 0 #16 895 5,948
FJ Boys 0 #17 1 603
CO 0 #18 4,442 7,768
BO Boys 0 #19 8,195 9,244
MX Boys 0 #19 50,587 16,355
PE Boys 0 #20 20,612 14,506
BI Boys 0 #22 22 917
BO 0 #22 965 6,868
MX 0 #22 1,482 8,339
Spain Boys 0 #23 32,992 5,610
HT Girls 0 #23 1 950
NL Boys 2014 #24 108 79
AR Boys 0 #24 7,880 7,628
NA 0 #26 8 2,537
CR 0 #28 169 5,526
PE 0 #28 597 6,350
BN 0 #31 2 2,297
MO 0 #31 22 2,706
Sweden Boys 2022 #32 322 1,509
HT Boys 0 #32 3 903
BI Girls 0 #33 1 726
New Zealand Boys 2010 #35 125 99
MV Girls 0 #35 1 2,021
DJ Boys 0 #36 1 657
PA Boys 0 #36 3,387 9,305
ID 0 #37 3 2,238
CL Boys 0 #38 17,338 13,390
PA 0 #38 99 3,797
MT 0 #40 4 1,767
PR 0 #40 16 1,497
UY Boys 0 #41 3,969 5,922
Spain 0 #43 1,603 2,326
Norway Boys 2025 #44 138 444
EC Boys 0 #45 565 3,322
CM 0 #52 5 2,592
PR Boys 0 #54 192 2,508
MO Boys 0 #55 236 5,842
EC 0 #58 60 2,502
France Boys 2021 #63 946 2,865
LU 0 #63 4 2,830
NA Boys 0 #64 226 6,830
JP 0 #67 11 4,057
BW Boys 0 #68 87 4,685
CL 0 #69 1,065 6,867
IN 0 #71 1 2,963
Switzerland Boys 2024 #72 69 1,769
AO 0 #73 5 2,729
CN 0 #73 13 3,857
AL 0 #76 1 2,372
AR 0 #79 119 2,915
MV Boys 0 #79 1 3,375
PH 0 #84 13 5,607
TW 0 #88 13 4,523
JM 0 #89 5 3,714
HK Boys 0 #99 1,619 12,905
SD 0 #101 2 2,130
ID Girls 0 #102 1 3,319
QA 0 #102 5 7,011
ID Boys 0 #110 22 4,130
UY 0 #110 70 2,477
PT Boys 0 #112 618 7,951
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
HU 0 #114 2 1,675
OM 0 #115 7 6,215
EE Boys 0 #119 7 2,087
KW 0 #119 3 5,216
BN Boys 0 #120 14 6,332
TW Boys 0 #121 140 7,111
CY Girls 0 #124 2 3,755
IQ 0 #128 6 3,533
Canada Boys 2024 #129 217 2,588
CY Boys 0 #130 2 3,473
MU 0 #131 7 3,613
JO 0 #140 1 2,158
LT Boys 0 #148 4 2,166
BW Girls 0 #149 3 4,216
DK Boys 0 #151 229 7,401
GH Boys 0 #153 282 8,138
RS Boys 0 #153 2 2,277
ZA Boys 0 #158 4,093 25,619
AO Boys 0 #159 86 5,568
AE 0 #162 16 10,220
MT Boys 0 #162 15 4,064
HU Boys 0 #164 11 3,954
IT Boys 0 #167 12,017 10,046
PR Girls 0 #167 1 3,171
CN Boys 0 #171 170 9,639
LU Boys 0 #171 48 4,970
JP Boys 0 #179 123 7,909
CZ 0 #182 5 3,154
DK 0 #182 22 5,198
CM Boys 0 #186 675 12,054
Finland Boys 0 #189 342 2,041
LU Girls 0 #190 1 4,850
Finland Boys 2026 #191 2,039 3,552
HK 0 #194 170 8,483
RU 0 #194 1 3,641
GH 0 #203 41 5,396
United States Boys 2024 #204 1,656 7,044
PH Boys 0 #206 197 11,440
PL 0 #208 5 2,600
NG 0 #209 56 5,926
SI Boys 0 #209 3 3,402
MU Boys 0 #212 152 8,477
PT 0 #215 32 4,161
AO Girls 0 #217 1 4,575
BG Boys 0 #217 4 3,850
PS 0 #219 8 5,692
IR 0 #229 3 4,221
BG Girls 0 #231 1 3,559
NA Girls 0 #231 7 7,146
JM Boys 0 #233 40 6,876
NL Boys 0 #236 1,685 5,873
BD 0 #239 3 5,992
SG 0 #242 28 11,010
GR Girls 0 #249 1 6,293
KZ Boys 0 #249 41 6,578
GR Boys 0 #254 14 6,912
HR Boys 0 #255 5 3,997
EC Girls 0 #257 2 3,650
MO Girls 0 #257 7 7,056
PL Boys 0 #264 72 6,459
NL 0 #267 130 2,481
SA 0 #272 24 10,560
Finland 0 #273 35 830
BR Boys 0 #275 1,022 12,213
IL 0 #275 8 6,291
ZA 0 #278 170 14,421
MY 0 #281 50 12,352
CZ Boys 0 #285 20 6,530
TW Girls 0 #288 2 8,139
AL Boys 0 #300 4 5,122
IT 0 #315 666 4,183
BR 0 #316 30 5,969
NG Boys 0 #321 1,420 16,906
DK Girls 0 #329 1 7,429
GH Girls 0 #333 5 6,973
JO Girls 0 #333 7 7,570
QA Girls 0 #339 5 15,378
SD Girls 0 #356 3 7,678
YE 0 #358 24 8,639
MU Girls 0 #360 3 8,539
JO Boys 0 #367 11 7,057
SD Boys 0 #378 68 10,523
Austria Boys 0 #379 64 2,180
EG 0 #386 15 6,387
BD Girls 0 #406 1 8,413
Germany 0 #408 30 2,542
RU Boys 0 #413 93 12,621
OM Girls 0 #421 4 15,987
PH Girls 0 #427 3 13,098
GT Girls 0 #445 61 7,500
MY Boys 0 #449 914 25,439
PA Girls 0 #458 24 9,861
PS Boys 0 #465 84 10,655
IQ Girls 0 #466 39 11,303
PT Girls 0 #468 4 7,952
SG Boys 0 #469 235 17,960
IQ Boys 0 #478 193 13,071
LY 0 #484 52 12,703
UY Girls 0 #493 18 6,731
BH 0 #503 51 17,937
CR Girls 0 #508 25 11,342
IL Boys 0 #510 98 10,983
RU Girls 0 #518 6 11,913
CM Girls 0 #519 22 11,671
IR Boys 0 #530 23 10,162
PS Girls 0 #543 5 10,981
AE Girls 0 #544 10 20,968
IR Girls 0 #544 2 8,334
HK Girls 0 #558 58 16,104
KW Girls 0 #561 1 19,177
AR Girls 0 #563 37 8,289
BD Boys 0 #566 11 10,045
BO Girls 0 #567 45 9,488
SG Girls 0 #577 10 18,916
QA Boys 0 #604 104 18,093
LB 0 #605 54 13,263
IL Girls 0 #643 3 11,648
SY 0 #664 65 11,684
Germany Boys 0 #687 276 5,697
EG Boys 0 #691 199 15,035
MA 0 #693 496 20,986
CO Girls 0 #704 426 16,140
KW Boys 0 #708 62 18,755
CL Girls 0 #747 105 14,098
NG Girls 0 #747 40 15,093
TN 0 #781 49 13,765
OM Boys 0 #793 89 17,948
Spain Girls 0 #823 161 5,561
Germany Girls 0 #828 11 4,949
PE Girls 0 #829 115 14,861
MX Girls 0 #838 369 17,781
DZ 0 #906 272 20,130
AE Boys 0 #912 181 22,615
SA Girls 0 #914 22 25,931
United States Girls 2015 #919 5 9,502
EG Girls 0 #942 18 14,742
MY Girls 0 #960 35 24,821
IN Boys 0 #968 34 16,750
BR Girls 0 #988 5 12,708
ZA Girls 0 #997 145 25,928
TR 0 #1,047 165 19,440
SA Boys 0 #1,065 619 28,008
IT Girls 0 #1,306 141 9,415

Oscar is popular in 95 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Norway
NL
Ireland
Canada

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Oscar

Oscar is predominantly a boy's name.
Oscar is a 2 syllable name, pronounced UK: /ˈɒskə(r)/; US: /ˈɑskər/ (phonetic: "OSS-kər").
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Oskar, Óscar, Oskari, Oskaras, Osgar and Oskár.
Yes, very popular — Oscar ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 13 countries.
Oscar ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Oscar's popularity is rising. It moved from #70 in 2011 to #63 in 2021 in France.
Yes — 11 notable people named Oscar are in our database, including Óscar Arias Sánchez (Politician), Oscar II of Sweden (Royal), Oscar I of Sweden (Royal).