Is Oscar really popular?

Very well summarised Judith.
Love your 'biblical but cyclical' phrase!

I love the name but it is a dogs name!

Very good work there Judith, I think I agree with you by and large.

My v good friend has three small children, two of whom are mentioned in the Dated and Square category, I probably won't mention it to her.

I think there's different categories of "dating":

1. Those that are new, flash in the pan, come and go once (Sharon, Tracey, Kevin, Kylie, Carol, Denise, Barbara) probably never to return to the same level of popularity.
2. Those which are long standing and old but currently enjoying an intense bout of popularity (Florence, Olivia, Grace, William, Harry, Isabel, Alfred, Elsie, Emma) but the revival won't overpower their roots.
3. Those that are traditional but are not so much dated as... square (Andrew, David, Peter, Philip, Margaret, John).
4. Those that are biblical but cyclical (Rebecca, Deborah, Ruth, Isaac, Sarah, Noah)

Oscar is European and long standing so I think it's a category 2 :)

There must be more categories but those are the main ones off the top of my head :)

Very common in London. Along the lines of Florence and Harry. We liked it when we had our last baby but we had a girl in the end. Very glad we didn't have a boy called Oscar as it would have meant years of being one of many oscars when he was at nursery/school.

And I too prefer to be known by my name rather than having to add a modifier to my name - names are meant to identify us.

'Dated' names are those that quickly soar in popularity and then as people become bored, it falls out favour and begins to sound old fashioned or dated. Sharon, Tracey, Stacey, Kevin or Steven all sound dated to the 70s for example.

I much prefer names that are more timeless and never become 'trendy'.

We know loads (London). There's at least one in every school year at the two schools my children have been at.

It is fashionable in the UK now, whereas Oscar would have been a really unusual name for a child of my generation (in my 40s). It won't date as such as it's an old name, but unlike Thomas and James and William it's never been very widely used in this country until now.

3 black cats and a dog round here called Oscar - not heard of any kids though..

Regarding a name dating, I personally don't like a name that can be dated e.g. I (personally) associate the name Michelle to the 1970s etc

The name Lauren seemed to suddenly soar in popularity a few years ago and I supppose to me, over familiarity breeds contempt. I would also like my child (within reason) to be called by her first name rather than name plus surname to distinguish her from all the other children of a similar age in her group/class etc.

At the same time, I named DD1 a name I really liked despite it being quite popular yet I am hesitant to use a name like Isabel due to it being even more popular. I suppose its a personal thing really.

I don't think it matters that a name dates. I was just pointing out that biblical names most definitely do date too!

Jason is a biblical name too. As us my name, Deborah, and that dated.

I agree with posters who've pointed out that it's a name which as been around for a long time so won't date in the way that Kylie or Keanu might (no offence meant to anyone)!

I'd also go along with those who say the most important thing is that you like the name. Our son's name is still my favourite boy's name - he's 21 now!

Isaac is going to date.

Seriously? This brought a smile to my face. Its a biblical name for heavens sake!!! (excuse the pun).

To answer the actual question, I think Oscar is quite trendy and I think its also being used for a baby in one of the main soaps which I always think results in a name's popularity soaring. (Max's son in Eastenders?)

I know three babies called Oscar. I do think it will date because it's very 'now'.

DS's name is in the top 3, but when we picked it , it was way down the list. Even if it was the most popular name on the entire planet, we still would have selected it.

If you love a name, then go with with it! DS's name is still my favourite boys name, whereas I've wavered with DD's name over the years. Ultimately, they both suit what they are called & I couldn't imagine them being anything else.

BTW, love Oscar & only know one who is now 21 years old.

Think it depends where you are. There are lots in north London but not sure about the rest of the country.

Ten years ago I didn't know a single Oscar, now we know about five aged 10 and under. So yes, it has become quite 'trendy' and may start to sound dated as people tire of it.

Osric is cool though!

I know one aged 6 - and a dog aged 4!

Yes, there are loads of Oscars around here. Some go by Ozzie.
I'm not keen personally.

I knew an elderly Oscar as a child, and now I know two toddlers called Oscars.

I think it ages and dates pretty well tbh.