About the name Oscar
The origin of Oscar is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Irish roots, with the meaning “Deer lover”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.
Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Oscar we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.
It has a vintage feel. In 2025, Oscar ranked #223 for boys in the US, with 1,620 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2006. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Oscar were boys.
- US rank 2025
- #223
- In 2015
- #181
- Babies in 2025
- 1,620
Popularity of Oscar, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Hello, world
Oscar
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Oscar on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Oscar. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Oscar
- Ozzie
Names similar to Oscar
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.