Talk

Flip

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Oscar

8 replies

chocolateandbroccoli · 03/02/2014 23:40

We had Oscar on our list back in 2008 for DD1 who is now 5. It wasn't crazy popular back then but since having her (and entering the world of playgroups/ nurseries etc) I've come across a fair number of little Oscars. i can't decide whether or not the sudden surge in popularity is going to make it a faddy name (even though it's pretty classic) or if, in fact, it's already fading a bit.
DH informs me that there's some a new hotshot Brazilian footballer called Oscar (really not on my radar) and with the world cup etc that it is going to make the name even more popular. Will an Oscar feel like a child of the late noughties/ early 20 teenies (no idea what this decade is called!) or is it a name that will stand the test of time?

OP posts:

Report

MauriceMinor · 04/02/2014 04:52

I don't think it is a classic, is it? In the UK I mean. I hadn't personally heard it used (on a baby) in this country till 2008. Now it seems to be everywhere. I wonder what sparked it? A celeb/soap baby? Go for it if you like it but be aware there will be lots. If you actually want opinions on the name I would say I'm not a fan as I see O-scar and think of Oscar the Grouch from Sesame St and old German men and cat food. But that's just me. It's very middle middle class, if that appeals.

Report

Eastpoint · 04/02/2014 05:05

It is a very international name - Oscar de la Renta, Oscar de la Hoya, used in Germany, Scandinavia, France, Austria, Poland as well as the Spanish speaking world. I don't know why it has exploded with popularity recently but the Oscars I know are 13,14. In 2000 there were only 600 or so Oscars, in 2012 there were closer to 3300.

Report

EmmaTeapots · 04/02/2014 05:35

It is a classical international name but I am biased as I have an Oscar who is 14 now but there is only one other in his school. He does like his name, it never gets shortened and as a family, we don't know any others so we must live in part of the country where it hasn't become popular.

Report

Tea1Sugar · 04/02/2014 06:21

I'm a primary school teacher and there are several at school. I understand what you mean I was put off by a name I really liked because of how popular it was.

Report

tammytoby · 04/02/2014 06:49

It has become very trendy (ten years ago I didn't know a single one, now there are so many little Oscars) and may therefore start to sound dated as it falls out if favour again.

I'd choose a more classic timeless name personally.

Report

CantQuiteBelieveIt · 04/02/2014 10:24

Yes, Oscar definitely isn't a 'classic' name in England. It's nothing like James, Henry or William, which are true classics. Primary schools and nurseries are packed with Oscars but there are very few over the age of 7/8. It's a perfect example of a faddy name imo.

My late granddad was called Oscar (not English) and I'd never heard of another one until very recently. His own view was that Oscar Wilde had put people off using the name for a very long time in England. I have no clue whether that's true or not! Maybe in less enlightened times it did have an effect.

Report

squoosh · 04/02/2014 14:15

I like Oscar and do think it's classic, very popular in Ireland for decades due to the link to Irish mythology, but in the UK it's more of a trendy name.