"divine power, God's rule"
Origin: Old English os weald
Language: English
Oswald
Pronunciation: [ AWZW-awld ]
Does Oswald flow with your last name?
A medieval saint's name making a vintage comeback
English
German
American
Vintage
Strong
Classic
Bold
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Oswald
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Meaning & Origin
"godly ruler"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin of President John F. Kennedy in 1963
- Oswald Mosley was a British fascist leader of the 1930s
The Story of Oswald
Oswald is an Old English name composed of os meaning god or divine, and weald meaning power or rule. It was borne by Saint Oswald of Northumbria, a 7th-century Christian king who brought Christianity to northern England and was martyred in battle in 642 AD. The name was also popular among medieval German royalty as Oswald.
Oswald was common in medieval England and Germany but faded significantly after the 19th century. In recent years it has attracted attention as part of the old-fashioned name revival, with the nickname Oz or Ozzy giving it a modern edge. The Disney character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit also gives it a whimsical association.
Saint Oswald of Northumbria is venerated in both the Catholic and Anglican churches, and his feast day on August 9 is celebrated in northern England. The name carries deep associations with early medieval Christianity and the Christianization of Britain.
Historical Record
Oswald first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,851 babies have been named Oswald in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Oswald is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,124 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Oswald of Northumbria was one of the most important early English Christian kings, ruling in the 7th century
- Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was Walt Disney's first major cartoon character, created before Mickey Mouse
Oswald in Other Languages
Latin
Osvaldus
German
Oswald
Italian
Osvaldo
Spanish
Osvaldo
Norwegian
Osvald
Popularity Over Time
#2,124
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Oswald
S
Saint Oswald of Northumbria
Royalty
604
Christian king of Northumbria who brought Christianity to northern England and was martyred in 642 AD
O
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Fictional
Other
Walt Disney's first major cartoon character, created in 1927 before Mickey Mouse
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Compare Oswald with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,124
- Total SSA Count
- 70
- Cultural Origins
- English German American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Oz
Ozzy
Ossie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Oswald
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Oswald
What does the name Oswald mean?
"divine power, God's rule" (from Old English os weald). "godly ruler" (from Anglo-Saxon). Oswald is an Old English name composed of os meaning god or divine, and weald meaning power or rule. It was borne by Saint Oswald of Northumbria, a 7th-century Christian king who brought Christianity to northern England and was martyred in battle in 642 AD. The name was also popular among medieval German royalty as Oswald.
What is the origin of the name Oswald?
Oswald has Old English os weald, Anglo-Saxon, English, German, and American origins. In Old English os weald, it means "divine power, God's rule". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "godly ruler".
Is Oswald a boy or girl name?
Oswald is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Oswald?
Oswald is pronounced AWZW-awld.
How popular is the name Oswald?
Oswald is currently ranked #2124 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Oswald?
Common nicknames for Oswald include Ozzy and Ossie.
What are good middle names for Oswald?
Popular middle name pairings include Oswald James, Oswald Henry, Oswald Frederick, Oswald Arthur, Oswald Edmund, and Oswald George.
What are good sibling names for Oswald?
Names that pair well with Oswald as siblings include Edmund, Reginald, Hildegard, Mildred, Aldous, and Herbert.
How many syllables does Oswald have?
Oswald has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Oswald a common or rare name?
Oswald is an uncommon name, ranked #2124 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Oswald?
Are there other spellings for Oswald?
Related spellings include Oswaldo.
About the Name Oswald
Oswald is a boy name with English, German, and American origins . The name means "divine power, God's rule" in Old English os weald .
Oswald is currently ranked #2,124 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Oswald has 2 syllables and is pronounced AWZW-awld, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Oswald include Oz, Ozzy, and Ossie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Oswald include Oswaldo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis