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Boy

Oscar

Deer friend, divine spear

Origin

Celtic

Used in

en

Origin and meaning of Oscar

Oscar has a double root: from the Gaelic os, 'deer,' and cara, 'friend' ('deer-lover'), or from the Norse Ásgeirr, 'divine spear.' Made famous by the 18th-century Ossianic poems, it was a favourite of Napoleon, who gave it to his godson, a future king of Sweden. Today it is popular in Scandinavia, the English-speaking world and Spain, and also evokes cinema's famous statuette. An elegant, cosmopolitan name with a confident sound.

Variants around the world

How Oscar sounds in other languages.

ÓscarOskar

Famous people

  • Oscar Wilde— writer
  • Oscar Niemeyer— architect

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Frequently asked questions

What does the name Oscar mean?

The name Oscar means Deer friend, divine spear.

What is the origin of the name Oscar?

Origin of Oscar: Celtic.

What are the international variants of the name Oscar?

International variants of Oscar: Óscar and Oskar.