Oscar (given name)
| Pronunciation |
/ˈɒskər/ Spanish: [ˈoskar] Portuguese: [ˈɔʃkaɾ] Italian: [ˈɔskar] German: [ˈoskaːɐ̯] |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Language(s) | Irish |
| Language(s) | Irish |
| Derivation | os + cara |
| Meaning | Friend of Deer |
Oscar or Oskar is a masculine given name derived from the Irish language.
Oscar is the third most popular name for males born in Sweden. Oskar is ranked 51 in terms of the most popular male names.
The name may be derived from two elements in Irish: the first, os, means "deer"; the second element, car, means "loving", thus deer-loving one or the like. The name is borne by a character in Irish mythology—Oscar, grandson of Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The name was popularised in the 18th century by James Macpherson, creator of 'Ossianic poetry'. Today the name is associated with Scandinavia because Napoleon was an admirer of Macpherson's work and gave the name to his godson, Joseph Bernadotte, who later became Oscar I, King of Sweden. Consequently, at the time many Swedes were named Oscar. The name was given to more than a half-dozen members of Scandinavian royal houses.
The surname McCusker originates as an Anglicised form of the Irish Mac Oscair as does the anglicised surname Cosgrave. The former surname may originate from Oscar, or else from a Gaelicised form of the Old Norse Ásgeirr (a personal name itself composed of the elements meaning "god" and "spear").
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