Oscar - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's name Oscar \o-scar, os-car\ is pronounced OS-ker. It is of Old English origin, and its meaning is "spear of the gods". Also possibly from the Gaelic phrase "os cara", meaning "friend of the deer". James Macpherson used the name in his Ossianic poems. Napoleon, an admirer of those works, imposed it on his little French godson, who ascended the throne of Sweden as Oscar I (or Oskar I). Thus, this British name is now regarded as Scandinavian. The name was revived by 18th century literary use. In modern times, Oscar the Grouch is a character in "Sesame Street". Lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II; playwright Oscar Wilde; fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.

Oscar has 4 variant forms: Oskar, Osker, Ossie and Ozzy.

Baby names that sound like Oscar are Asgard and Isachar.

Oscar is a very popular male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Oscar. Click here to compare Oscar with related baby names.