Oscar Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Oscar Name Meaning

Fact: The Oscar statuette is 13.5 inches tall and weighs 8.5 pounds, made of gold-plated bronze​

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A Deep Dive

Oscar Overview

Meaning

God’s spear, deer-lover, champion warrior, friend of deer

Gender

Boy

Origin

Irish, Old English

Etymology

Derived from the Old English name “Osgar,” meaning “god’s spear” or from the Irish “Oscur,” meaning “friend of deer.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈɑːskər/

Popularity

Oscar is popular in many countries, including Sweden, Spain, and the USA. In 2023, Oscar ranked #215 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

2 (Cooperative, Adaptable, Considerate)

Name Styles

Classic, Cool, Vintage, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Noble, charismatic, timeless
A Deep Dive

Oscar Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Oskar, Osgar, Osker, Oskerio, Osgard

Common Nicknames

Ozzy, Ozzie, Ossie, Scar, Oki

Diminutives

Osc, Ose, Osy, Oscy

Famous People

  • Oscar Wilde
    (Irish Writer)
  • Oscar Peterson
    (Canadian Musician)
  • Oscar Isaac
    (American Actor)
  • Oscar de la Renta
    (Dominican-American Fashion Designer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Oscar Martinez
    ("The Office," TV Series)
  • Oscar the Grouch
    ("Sesame Street," TV Series)
  • "Oscar"
    (Film)
  • "Oscar and Lucinda"
    (Film)

Places

  • Oscar Community
    (Louisiana, USA)
  • Oscar Lake
    (Minnesota, USA)
  • Oscar-Peterson Park
    (Quebec, Canada)
  • Oscar School
    (Lagos, Nigeria)

What Is the Meaning of Oscar?

Oscar means “divine spear” or “champion warrior.” The name suggests a strong and valiant personality, often seen as noble and courageous.

What Is the Origin of The Name Oscar?

The name Oscar has Old English and Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic elements “os,” meaning “deer,” and “cara,” meaning “friend.” Another interpretation comes from Old English, where it combines “os,” meaning “God,” and “gar,” meaning “spear,” giving it the meaning “divine spear.”

Oscar Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Oscar in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2262021#2012022#2162023
Top 3 Rankings#261883#261886#281881

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Oscar

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023216
(-15 from 2022)
1693
(-197 from 2022)
0.09246
2022201
(+25 from 2021)
1890
(+194 from 2021)
0.10091
2021226
(-12 from 2020)
1696
(-69 from 2020)
0.09052
2020214
(-9 from 2019)
1765
(-125 from 2019)
0.09542
2019205
(+1 from 2018)
1890
(-66 from 2018)
0.09835
2018206
(-14 from 2017)
1956
(-92 from 2017)
0.10063
2017192
(-16 from 2016)
2048
(-212 from 2016)
0.10348
2016176
(+5 from 2015)
2260
(-39 from 2015)
0.11157
2015181
(+3 from 2014)
2299
(-22 from 2014)
0.11245
2014184
(-6 from 2013)
2321
(+79 from 2013)
0.11326
2013178
(-1 from 2012)
2242
(+45 from 2012)
0.11095
2012177
(-15 from 2011)
2197
(-181 from 2011)
0.10827
2011162
(-15 from 2010)
2378
(-287 from 2010)
0.11706
2010147
(-16 from 2009)
2665
(-451 from 2009)
0.12972
2009131
(-11 from 2008)
3116
(-446 from 2008)
0.14692
2008120
(+1 from 2007)
3562
(+14 from 2007)
0.16336
2007121
(-3 from 2006)
3548
(-53 from 2006)
0.16018
2006118
(-1 from 2005)
3601
(+140 from 2005)
0.16425
2005117
(+6 from 2004)
3461
(+113 from 2004)
0.16269
2004123
(-1 from 2003)
3348
(+47 from 2003)
0.15842
2003122
(-2 from 2002)
3301
(+68 from 2002)
0.15710
2002120
(+2 from 2001)
3233
(+39 from 2001)
0.15644
2001122
No change from 2000
3194
(+16 from 2000)
0.15442
2000122
(-6 from 1999)
3178
(+53 from 1999)
0.15218
1999116
(+13 from 1998)
3125
(+119 from 1998)
0.15326
1998129
(-2 from 1997)
3006
(+36 from 1997)
0.14825
1997127
(-2 from 1996)
2970
(-29 from 1996)
0.14866
1996125
(+5 from 1995)
2999
(+269 from 1995)
0.14967
1995130
(-8 from 1994)
2730
(-116 from 1994)
0.13573
1994122
(+1 from 1993)
2846
(-2 from 1993)
0.13962
1993123
(+7 from 1992)
2848
(+261 from 1992)
0.13788
1992130
(+4 from 1991)
2587
(+143 from 1991)
0.12324
1991134
(+1 from 1990)
2444
(+116 from 1990)
0.11530
1990135
(+17 from 1989)
2328
(+363 from 1989)
0.10818
1989152
(+8 from 1988)
1965
(+232 from 1988)
0.09375
1988160
(+3 from 1987)
1733
(+72 from 1987)
0.08655
1987163
(+6 from 1986)
1661
(+89 from 1986)
0.08517
1986169
No change from 1985
1572
(-21 from 1985)
0.08180
1985169
(+9 from 1984)
1593
(+172 from 1984)
0.08278
1984178
(+5 from 1983)
1421
(+51 from 1983)
0.07572
1983183
(-8 from 1982)
1370
(-116 from 1982)
0.07351
1982175
(-4 from 1981)
1486
(+22 from 1981)
0.07874
1981171
(+4 from 1980)
1464
(+68 from 1980)
0.07861
1980175
(+9 from 1979)
1396
(+85 from 1979)
0.07527
1979184
(-5 from 1978)
1311
(-1 from 1978)
0.07319
1978179
(+2 from 1977)
1312
(+39 from 1977)
0.07679
1977181
(+3 from 1976)
1273
(+42 from 1976)
0.07447
1976184
No change from 1975
1231
(-3 from 1975)
0.07540
1975184
(+5 from 1974)
1234
(+35 from 1974)
0.07606
1974189
(+14 from 1973)
1199
(+131 from 1973)
0.07355
1973203
(+2 from 1972)
1068
(-44 from 1972)
0.06619
1972205
(+15 from 1971)
1112
(+47 from 1971)
0.06643
1971220
(+5 from 1970)
1065
(+22 from 1970)
0.05859
1970225
(+3 from 1969)
1043
(+37 from 1969)
0.05476
1969228
(+10 from 1968)
1006
(+104 from 1968)
0.05500
1968238
(-4 from 1967)
902
(-31 from 1967)
0.05080
1967234
(-6 from 1966)
933
(-11 from 1966)
0.05243
1966228
(+4 from 1965)
944
(-43 from 1965)
0.05194
1965232
(+11 from 1964)
987
(-13 from 1964)
0.05210
1964243
(-8 from 1963)
1000
(-21 from 1963)
0.04933
1963235
(+10 from 1962)
1021
(+14 from 1962)
0.04945
1962245
No change from 1961
1007
(-35 from 1961)
0.04791
1961245
No change from 1960
1042
(-26 from 1960)
0.04831
1960245
(-2 from 1959)
1068
(-17 from 1959)
0.04932
1959243
(-6 from 1958)
1085
(+16 from 1958)
0.05008
1958237
(-20 from 1957)
1069
(-131 from 1957)
0.04961
1957217
No change from 1956
1200
(+67 from 1956)
0.05482
1956217
(-6 from 1955)
1133
(-22 from 1955)
0.05279
1955211
(-14 from 1954)
1155
(-113 from 1954)
0.05526
1954197
(+6 from 1953)
1268
(+72 from 1953)
0.06128
1953203
(-1 from 1952)
1196
(+109 from 1952)
0.05973
1952202
(-3 from 1951)
1087
(+20 from 1951)
0.05509
1951199
(-7 from 1950)
1067
(-36 from 1950)
0.05581
1950192
(-6 from 1949)
1103
(-20 from 1949)
0.06064
1949186
(-2 from 1948)
1123
(+25 from 1948)
0.06232
1948184
(+2 from 1947)
1098
(-13 from 1947)
0.06159
1947186
(-4 from 1946)
1111
(+94 from 1946)
0.05981
1946182
(-6 from 1945)
1017
(+79 from 1945)
0.06162
1945176
(+2 from 1944)
938
(+27 from 1944)
0.06839
1944178
(-9 from 1943)
911
(-163 from 1943)
0.06558
1943169
(+3 from 1942)
1074
(+117 from 1942)
0.07383
1942172
(-7 from 1941)
957
(-62 from 1941)
0.06795
1941165
(+1 from 1940)
1019
(+81 from 1940)
0.08120
1940166
(-7 from 1939)
938
(-63 from 1939)
0.07908
1939159
(-1 from 1938)
1001
(-22 from 1938)
0.08833
1938158
(-4 from 1937)
1023
(+35 from 1937)
0.09001
1937154
(-1 from 1936)
988
(-20 from 1936)
0.09034
1936153
(-10 from 1935)
1008
(-83 from 1935)
0.09471
1935143
No change from 1934
1091
(-4 from 1934)
0.10200
1934143
(-1 from 1933)
1095
(-16 from 1933)
0.10311
1933142
(-4 from 1932)
1111
(-144 from 1932)
0.10890
1932138
(-9 from 1931)
1255
(-80 from 1931)
0.11681
1931129
(-5 from 1930)
1335
(-131 from 1930)
0.12479
1930124
(-7 from 1929)
1466
(-16 from 1929)
0.12979
1929117
(+5 from 1928)
1482
(+18 from 1928)
0.13380
1928122
(-9 from 1927)
1464
(-171 from 1927)
0.12829
1927113
(-8 from 1926)
1635
(-80 from 1926)
0.14072
1926105
(-6 from 1925)
1715
(-39 from 1925)
0.14972
192599
No change from 1924
1754
(-65 from 1924)
0.15233
192499
(-3 from 1923)
1819
(-61 from 1923)
0.15560
192396
(-4 from 1922)
1880
(-127 from 1922)
0.16604
192292
No change from 1921
2007
(+29 from 1921)
0.17837
192192
(-2 from 1920)
1978
(-28 from 1920)
0.17382
192090
(-2 from 1919)
2006
(+15 from 1919)
0.18223
191988
(-1 from 1918)
1991
(-122 from 1918)
0.19609
191887
No change from 1917
2113
(+152 from 1917)
0.20150
191787
(-1 from 1916)
1961
(+45 from 1916)
0.20442
191686
(+2 from 1915)
1916
(+128 from 1915)
0.20753
191588
(-11 from 1914)
1788
(+235 from 1914)
0.20297
191477
(-1 from 1913)
1553
(+304 from 1913)
0.22727
191376
(-3 from 1912)
1249
(+92 from 1912)
0.23292
191273
(-5 from 1911)
1157
(+521 from 1911)
0.25628
191168
(+5 from 1910)
636
(+131 from 1910)
0.26347
191073
(-3 from 1909)
505
(+46 from 1909)
0.24219
190970
(-5 from 1908)
459
(-17 from 1908)
0.25952
190865
(-6 from 1907)
476
(-7 from 1907)
0.28611
190759
(+5 from 1906)
483
(+71 from 1906)
0.30457
190664
(-8 from 1905)
412
(-24 from 1905)
0.28598
190556
(-2 from 1904)
436
(-6 from 1904)
0.30440
190454
(-3 from 1903)
442
(+15 from 1903)
0.31913
190351
(+4 from 1902)
427
(+30 from 1902)
0.33018
190255
(-8 from 1901)
397
(-25 from 1901)
0.29906
190147
No change from 1900
422
(-141 from 1900)
0.36508
190047
(-1 from 1899)
563
(+116 from 1899)
0.34727
189946
(-5 from 1898)
447
(-99 from 1898)
0.38804
189841
(-4 from 1897)
546
(+3 from 1897)
0.41333
189737
(+3 from 1896)
543
(+4 from 1896)
0.44529
189640
(-1 from 1895)
539
(-10 from 1895)
0.41760
189539
(-5 from 1894)
549
(-52 from 1894)
0.43351
189434
(-2 from 1893)
601
(+27 from 1893)
0.48122
189332
(+1 from 1892)
574
(-60 from 1892)
0.47422
189233
(-1 from 1891)
634
(+83 from 1891)
0.48231
189132
(-3 from 1890)
551
(-77 from 1890)
0.50428
189029
(+3 from 1889)
628
(+56 from 1889)
0.52464
188932
(-1 from 1888)
572
(-75 from 1888)
0.48054
188831
(-2 from 1887)
647
(+73 from 1887)
0.49805
188729
(-3 from 1886)
574
(-71 from 1886)
0.52511
188626
(+2 from 1885)
645
(+22 from 1885)
0.54183
188528
(+2 from 1884)
623
(+8 from 1884)
0.53732
188430
(-4 from 1883)
615
(+8 from 1883)
0.50107
188326
(+2 from 1882)
607
(-18 from 1882)
0.53968
188228
No change from 1881
625
(+95 from 1881)
0.51216
188128
(+1 from 1880)
530
(-14 from 1880)
0.48949
188029
First SSA data recorded
544
First SSA data recorded
0.45946

American States Popularity Rankings for Oscar

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1432021#1222022#1312023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1432021#1322022#1462023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2142021#1752022#1652023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2512021#1892022#1982023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3332021#2672022#3002023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3272021#2842022#3112023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2642021#2412022#2922023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1482021#1362022#1612023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4322021#2632022#8642023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2852021#2522022#2742023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4152021#3802022#5172023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3372021#2782022#3132023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2942021#2922022#2752023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5182018#6172019#5112023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2392021#1922022#3222023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2682021#2812022#3192023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3722021#3312022#3372023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2552021#3022022#3452023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2702021#2822022#2792023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1702021#1752022#1602023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3022021#4392022#2912023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2172021#1752022#3892023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2532021#6072022#4682023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2482021#2322022#2982023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1762021#1972022#1842023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2332021#1492022#2062023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1752021#1552022#1902023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1492021#1522022#1702023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2912021#1972022#1392023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2172021#2232022#3282023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2022021#2052022#1512023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2422021#1992022#4042023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2532021#1842022#1602023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2661967#3122016#3832019

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4082021#3022022#3412023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3342021#2402022#2262023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2482021#2172022#2142023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1562021#1522022#722023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1342021#2992022#2632023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2102020#2752022#2052023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3902021#3132022#2242023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2532020#1432021#1062022

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1842017#1682022#1922023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1852019#1562020#2092022

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1992020#2612021#2632023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1592019#2652021#2182022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2262013#2332016#2402022

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2362018#1972019#1682020

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1482016#1342019#1052021

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2232015#2592017#2422019

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#671919#1312016

Popularity Rankings for Oscar in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#12021#42022#7First half of 2023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#102019#72020#82021

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#122020#102021#112022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#222021#112022#202023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#142021#352022#332023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#212021#282022#262023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#272021#222022#282023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#422021#512022#252023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#302021#382022#302023

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#372008#412009#502010

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#402021#692022#512023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#762020#732021#742022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1132021#1192022#812023

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#852017#892018#982019

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#932020#952021

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#1112020#1032021#952022

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1102019#1202020#1242021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1312020#1302021#1412022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1312020#1762021#1462022

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#1362016

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1722019#1372020#1622021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1551999#1402006#1672009

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2722018#1632019#2532020

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#1962021#2172022#1922023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2942022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Oscar a Name for Boys or Girls?

Oscar is favored for boys, known for its solid and dignified qualities. Its historical and cultural connotations make it a distinctive and appealing choice.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Oscar

Oscar in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Oscar Wilde (Writer, 1854–1900): An Irish poet and playwright celebrated for his wit and the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
  • Oscar Peterson (Musician, 1925–2007): A Canadian jazz pianist and composer, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.
  • Oscar Isaac (Actor, born 1979): An American actor known for his diverse roles in films like "Ex Machina" and "Star Wars."
  • Oscar de la Renta (Fashion Designer, 1932–2014): A Dominican-American fashion designer who created iconic and elegant clothing for women.
  • Oscar Niemeyer (Architect, 1907–2012): A Brazilian architect whose modernist designs include many buildings in Brasília.
  • Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyricist, 1895–1960): An American lyricist and playwright who created classic musicals such as "The Sound of Music."
  • Oscar Pistorius (Athlete, born 1986): A South African former sprint runner who made history as a double-amputee Olympian.
  • Oscar Robertson (Basketball Player, born 1938): An American basketball player considered one of the greatest in NBA history, also known as "The Big O."
  • Oscar Martinez ("The Office," 2005 TV Series): A Dunder Mifflin accountant known for his dry wit and intelligence.
  • Oscar the Grouch ("Sesame Street," 1969 TV Series): A grumpy, trash-loving Muppet who lives in a garbage can.
  • "Oscar" (1991 Film): A comedy about a gangster trying to go straight on the day his daughter gets married.
  • "Oscar and Lucinda" (1997 Film): A romantic drama about a young Australian heiress and a priest who share a love of gambling.
  • Oscar Bluth ("Arrested Development," 2003 TV Series): George Bluth's twin brother who often impersonates him.
  • "Oscar Wao" ("The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," 2007 Novel): Chronicles the life of a Dominican-American man who dreams of becoming the next J.R.R. Tolkien.
  • Oscar Diggs ("Oz the Great and Powerful," 2013 Film): A circus magician who becomes the Wizard of Oz.
  • "Oscar" (1995 Novel): A story about a young boy who learns about life and loss through his pet cat.
  • Oscar City (Louisiana, USA): A small unincorporated community in Pointe Coupee Parish, offering a peaceful rural atmosphere.
  • Oscar Park (Illinois, USA): A community park in Chicago, featuring playgrounds, sports facilities, and green spaces for recreational activities.
  • Oscar Lake (Minnesota, USA): A serene lake in Minnesota, ideal for fishing, boating, and enjoying nature.
  • Oscar Avenue (New York, USA): A residential street in Brooklyn, lined with charming homes and local businesses.
  • Oscar Peterson Park (Quebec, Canada): A park in Montreal named after the famous jazz musician, offering playgrounds and open spaces.
  • Oscar School (Lagos, Nigeria): An educational institution providing quality education to students in Lagos.
  • Oscar District (Hedmark, Norway): A historical district in Norway, featuring traditional architecture and cultural heritage sites.

Similar Names to Oscar