Oscar is a highly popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #17 in 2012 with 3,289 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2013 with 4,511 births ranking #7. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 971.3%. In 2012, approximately 1 in every 106 boys born was named Oscar. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Oscar is a long-standing classic with a strong, handsome sound. Its older meaning is interpreted in different ways, but friend of deer is one of the best-known traditional explanations.
The name appears in Irish legend through Ossianic stories and later spread widely across Europe. Its long use across languages has helped it feel familiar and substantial.