Back to all names
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 is said in other languages.

ÓscarOskar

Famous people

  • Oscar Wildewriter
  • Oscar Niemeyerarchitect

Picked Oscar? Now create your gift list

Open a baby gift list for your little one and share it with friends and family.

Similar names you may like