Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Oscar
BoyIrish· “possibly deer friend”
- Meaning
- possibly deer friend
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- AWS-kur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #223
- US babies 2025
- 1,620
- Best rank
- #26 (1886)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Oscar
Oscar is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “possibly deer friend”.
In Irish legend, Oscar is the grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the son of the poet Oisín, a great warrior of the Fianna. The name is often explained as Irish os, "deer," and cara, "friend," though that is not certain. Oscar spread through Europe after James Macpherson's Ossian poems became hugely popular in the eighteenth century, and Napoleon, an admirer of them, chose the name for his godson, later King Oscar I of Sweden. Oscar Wilde brought literary fame to it. Today the name is warm and a bit old-fashioned in a charming way, and Ozzie makes a playful nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Oskar.
Famous parents who chose Oscar: Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith (2022). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Oscar has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #26 in 1886, and the most babies received it in 2006, when 3,601 were named Oscar. In 2025, 1,620 babies were named Oscar, and it ranked #223 nationally. That is 30% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #90 in 1920, #192 in 1950, #176 in 1980, #122 in 2000, #147 in 2010, and #223 in 2025. Of the 213,098 US boys named Oscar since records began, 16% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 27,885 babies. Since 2010, 32,606 more have been named Oscar.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jorge, Preston, Kaleb, Omar, and Conner.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Oscar ranked highest in Vermont, New Mexico, and District of Columbia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #77 | 7 |
| New Mexico | #126 | 16 |
| District of Columbia | #135 | 7 |
| Texas | #147 | 267 |
| Maryland | #155 | 38 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Oscar is usually pronounced AWS-kur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with O and ends in “-ar”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Oskar.
Middle names for Oscar
A few middle names that flow with Oscar: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Oscar
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Lists that include Oscar
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Oscar mean?
Oscar is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “possibly deer friend”.
What is the origin of the name Oscar?
Oscar has Irish roots. In Irish legend, Oscar is the grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the son of the poet Oisín, a great warrior of the Fianna.
Is Oscar a popular name?
Yes. Oscar ranked #223 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Oscar a boy or girl name?
Oscar is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Oscar?
Oscar is usually pronounced AWS-kur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings