Oscar Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Oscar is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Oscar?
Oscar is spelled O-S-C-A-R. The name has 5 letters.
Oscar at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Oscar is commonly associated with Old English elements meaning “god” and “spear”, or Old Irish elements meaning “deer” and “lover.”
- Origin
- Oscar is associated with origins in Old English and Old Irish languages, with possible derivations from words meaning “god spear” or “deer lover.”
- Pronunciation
- OSS-kar · 2 syllables
Oscar Popularity in 2025
Rank#223
Recorded Births1,620
- Boys usage fell 7 places to #223 and recorded 49 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Oscar Mean?
Oscar is commonly associated with Old English elements meaning “god” and “spear”, or Old Irish elements meaning “deer” and “lover.”
Origin: Oscar is associated with origins in Old English and Old Irish languages, with possible derivations from words meaning “god spear” or “deer lover.”
How Do You Pronounce Oscar?
PronunciationOSS-kar
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Oscar?
- History
- The name Oscar has been used in various cultures, including Ireland and England, with documented usage from the 18th century onward.
Oscar Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2006 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 1,620 | #223 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,669 | #216 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,702 | #216 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,892 | #201 |
| 2021 | Boys | 1,697 | #226 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,766 | #214 |
| 2019 | Boys | 1,892 | #205 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,956 | #206 |
| 2017 | Boys | 2,048 | #192 |
| 2016 | Boys | 2,261 | #176 |
| 2015 | Girls | 5 | #16,419 |
| 2015 | Boys | 2,299 | #181 |
| 2014 | Boys | 2,321 | #184 |
| 2013 | Boys | 2,242 | #178 |
| 2012 | Boys | 2,198 | #177 |
| 2011 | Boys | 2,378 | #162 |
| 2010 | Girls | 5 | #16,992 |
| 2010 | Boys | 2,665 | #147 |
| 2009 | Girls | 7 | #13,704 |
| 2009 | Boys | 3,117 | #131 |
| 2008 | Boys | 3,563 | #120 |
| 2007 | Girls | 8 | #12,676 |
| 2007 | Boys | 3,548 | #121 |
| 2006 | Girls | 6 | #15,152 |
When Was Oscar Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2006 · Boys
3,601 recorded births
National rank #118
2008 · Boys
3,563 recorded births
National rank #120
2007 · Boys
3,548 recorded births
National rank #121
2005 · Boys
3,461 recorded births
National rank #117
Where Oscar Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| VT | #64 | 7 |
| DC | #120 | 7 |
| NM | #121 | 16 |
| TX | #143 | 267 |
| MD | #153 | 38 |
| RI | #155 | 7 |
| MT | #159 | 8 |
| CA | #161 | 241 |