Oscar
Oscar is an boy name of Irish; possibly Old English origin, meaning “Deer lover; or god's spear”.
| Meaning | Deer lover; or god's spear |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Irish; possibly Old English |
| Pronunciation | OS-kar |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic, Christian |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Oscar
Oscar's origin is debated. It is usually traced to the Irish os, 'deer', and cara, 'friend', giving 'friend of deer'; in legend Oscar was the grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill. An alternative theory links it to Old English Osgar, 'god spear'. James Macpherson's Ossian poems made it famous in the eighteenth century, and Napoleon chose it for his godson, who became King Oscar I of Sweden. Oscar Wilde is a famous bearer.
Is Oscar a religious name?
Oscar has no religious background; it comes from Irish legend and literature rather than scripture, and is used by families of every faith.
How popular is Oscar?
Very popular in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Australia.
Gifts with the name Oscar
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Spellings and variants of Oscar
Names similar to Oscar
More boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Oscar mean?
Oscar means 'Deer lover; or god's spear'. It is of Irish; possibly Old English origin.
Does Oscar have a religious meaning?
Oscar has no religious background; it comes from Irish legend and literature rather than scripture, and is used by families of every faith.
How do you pronounce Oscar?
Oscar is pronounced OS-kar.
Is Oscar a boy or girl name?
Oscar is usually a boy name.