Oswald Boy

Popularity: #871 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OZ-wald //ˈɒz.wəld//

Origin: Old English; German

Meaning: Old English: God's power; German: divine power

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Oswald has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "os," meaning "god," and "weald," meaning "power" or "rule." This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "divine power" or "godly ruler." The name was recorded in various forms, including Oswaldus in Latin, as it transitioned through the linguistic influences of Old English into Middle English and eventually into modern usage. The name entered the English language during the early medieval period, reflecting the cultural and religious shifts of the time, particularly with the spread of Christianity in England.

A significant historical milestone associated with the name Oswald is Saint Oswald of Northumbria, who was a prominent figure in the 7th century. He became king of Northumbria around 634 AD and was known for his efforts to promote Christianity in his kingdom.

His reign was marked by the establishment of monasteries and the spread of the faith, particularly through the missionary work of figures like Aidan of Lindisfarne. Oswald was later canonized as a saint, and his feast day is celebrated on August 5th.

His legacy contributed to the name's enduring presence in Christian contexts. Culturally, the name Oswald has been associated with themes of leadership and divine favor, resonating with the historical figure's piety and governance.

The name has appeared in various literary and historical texts, reinforcing its significance in the cultural memory of England. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Ozzy have emerged, reflecting a more informal adaptation of the name while maintaining its original connotations of strength and divinity.

Overall, Oswald's historical and cultural significance has allowed it to persist through the centuries.

Famous people named Oswald

In this section, you will find notable people named Oswald. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Oswald who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Oswald who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Oswald Mosley was a politician best known for founding the British Union of Fascists and his controversial political activities in the UK.

Oswald Avery was a physician and biologist best known for his work in the identification of DNA as the material of heredity.

Fictional characters named Oswald

The following list of fictional characters named Oswald is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Oswald Cobblepot is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe and the TV series Gotham. He is a cunning and ambitious crime lord known as the Penguin who seeks power in Gotham City.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is a fictional character from the animated series created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. He is an anthropomorphic rabbit who is one of the earliest cartoon characters to achieve significant popularity.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Oswald, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

OliverOwenOscarOrenOpheliaOlivia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Oswald. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AldoArnoldOsmanOsmondOrsonOrielOrenOttoOdin

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Oswald was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Oswald has ranked as high as #1198 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Louisiana, and Minnesota.

In the past 5 years the name Oswald has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Oswald is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Oswald was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Oswald.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 67 67
2024 70 70
2023 65 65
2022 55 55
2021 54 54
2020 39 39
2019 42 42
2018 41 41
2017 38 38
2016 36 36
2015 26 26
2014 27 27
2013 19 19
2012 14 14
2011 18 18
2010 21 21
2009 19 19
2008 14 14
2007 20 20
2006 18 18
2005 17 17
2004 25 25
2003 23 23
2002 9 9
2001 24 24
2000 20 20
1999 18 18
1998 16 16
1997 18 18
1996 10 10
1995 16 16
1994 17 17
1993 23 23
1992 19 19
1991 22 22
1990 24 24
1989 22 22
1988 18 18
1987 15 15
1986 20 20
1985 21 21
1984 31 31
1983 25 25
1982 22 22
1981 17 17
1980 19 19
1979 14 14
1978 22 22
1977 17 17
1976 16 16
1975 16 16
1974 32 32
1973 19 19
1972 20 20
1971 28 28
1970 27 27
1969 22 22
1968 19 19
1967 11 11
1966 23 23
1965 19 19
1964 18 18
1963 24 24
1962 28 28
1961 28 28
1960 26 26
1959 24 24
1958 30 30
1957 18 18
1956 28 28
1955 20 20
1954 40 40
1953 37 37
1952 25 25
1951 29 29
1950 25 25
1949 26 26
1948 31 31
1947 25 25
1946 18 18
1945 38 38
1944 21 21
1943 17 17
1942 25 25
1941 24 24
1940 18 18
1939 14 14
1938 24 24
1937 27 27
1936 26 26
1935 33 33
1934 29 29
1933 46 46
1932 53 53
1931 52 52
1930 71 71
1929 51 51
1928 62 62
1927 67 67
1926 70 70
1925 84 84
1924 100 100
1923 83 83
1922 80 80
1921 86 86
1920 80 80
1919 90 90
1918 105 105
1917 94 94
1916 107 107
1915 92 92
1914 86 86
1913 64 64
1912 54 54
1911 29 29
1910 29 29
1909 25 25
1908 16 16
1907 19 19
1906 15 15
1905 13 13
1904 9 9
1903 9 9
1902 11 11
1901 15 15
1900 9 9
1899 11 11
1898 10 10
1897 18 18
1896 13 13
1895 13 13
1894 13 13
1893 9 9
1892 11 11
1891 5 5
1890 12 12
1889 12 12
1888 11 11
1887 8 8
1886 16 16
1885 5 5
1884 13 13
1883 10 10
1882 11 11
1881 6 6
1880 9 9

Top States for Oswald (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 8
42%
TX 6
32%
PA 5
26%