Oscar is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the Germanic name Osarius or Oscan, which means "deer spear" in German. It has also been associated with the Irish name Ossian, which comes from the legendary Gaelic bard Ossian.
The name Oscar was first used as a given name in the 19th century, likely inspired by the protagonist of Walter Scott's poem "The Lady of the Lake" (1810), who was named Oscarl. The popularity of the name grew throughout the Victorian era and has remained popular ever since.
In the literary world, Oscar Wilde is perhaps the most famous person with this name. He was an Irish poet and playwright known for his wit, flamboyance, and brilliant use of language in works such as "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "An Ideal Husband."
Today, Oscar continues to be a popular choice for parents around the world. It has consistently ranked among the top 1000 names given to baby boys in the United States since the late 19th century.
Overall, the name Oscar offers a unique blend of strength, elegance, and historical significance that makes it an appealing option for those looking for a classic yet distinctive name.
The name Oscar has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the statistics provided. From 1886 to 2015, there were a total of 1070 births with the name Oscar.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name's popularity was quite low, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1886 and 1914. However, it began to gain traction in the 1915, with 14 births that year. This trend continued into the 1920s, reaching a peak of 21 births in 1921.
After this high point, the popularity of the name Oscar fluctuated throughout the mid-20th century, ranging from a low of 5 births in some years to a high of 17 births in others. This period saw several spikes in popularity, such as in 1936 (13 births), 1946 (10 births), and 1954 (11 births).
In the late 20th century and early 21st century, the name Oscar experienced a renewed surge in popularity. Between 1987 and 1994, there were more than 15 births with the name each year, peaking at 24 births in 1994. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with several years seeing double-digit numbers of Oscar births.
However, since around 2007, the popularity of the name Oscar has declined somewhat, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded between 2007 and 2015. This decrease in popularity could be due to a variety of factors, such as shifting naming trends or changes in cultural influences.
Overall, while the name Oscar has not consistently been one of the most popular names in the United States, it has nonetheless maintained a steady presence throughout history, with several periods of notable popularity.