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Baby names

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

Original poster

Oscar?

38 replies

Threelittlebirds1 · 15/02/2025 09:11

Really struggling to find a boys name we love. I've always liked Oscar but ruled it out previously due to popularity, I don't actually know any, but aware it's in the top 10.
I'm looking for something fairly traditional but not so popular it's become dull, would love opinions on Oscar please.

I'd also be grateful if anyone can post a link of most recent complete ONS boys list- I can only find top 100 names.

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VerbenaGirl · 15/02/2025 09:47

I like it and while top 10 is a bit of a niggle, I’d still go for it. I know a teenage Oscar and his name still fits him very well as he is growing up.

GrumpySparkler · 15/02/2025 09:41

Oscar is a lovely name OP.
To put the whole name popularity thing in to perspective, using the data from the spreadsheet linked above, out of all the baby boys given top 100 names in 2023, less than 2% of them were named Oscar, even though it's 9th most popular.

whoami24601 · 15/02/2025 09:41

We have an Oscar in the family and love it but also DS is Elliott. I actually prefer Elliott as it is such a classic name but really underused imo. Though given my time over I'd spell it Elliot as it's a constant battle having to correct people!

Coffeeishot · 15/02/2025 09:35

Oscar is fine even as an adult definitely not cringy. I prefer Oliver it has imo a better flow to it.

Viviennemary · 15/02/2025 09:34

I don't like it much. In fact it's pretty awful.

Original poster
Threelittlebirds1 · 15/02/2025 09:32

LavenderFields7 · 15/02/2025 09:18

Names similar to Oscar:

Arthur, Felix, Hugo, Oliver, Henry, Theodore, Walter, Edmund, Rupert, Victor, Lionel, Axel, Magnus, Gustav, Casper, Leif, Leo, Max, Otto, Hugo, Finn.

How do those sound?

Thank you for suggestions, these are definitely along the right lines - Felix, Max and Finn are already on the shortlist and there are some others I like too, thanks.

OP posts:
MinPinSins · 15/02/2025 09:31

BettyBardMacDonald · 15/02/2025 09:21

I just think of a grown man trying to have a career & social life as "oscar," and cringe.

It might be cute on a toddler but after that is such a clumsy, goofy name.

How about something like Lawrence?

This comment makes zero sense. It's one of the most popular boys names, and won't stand out in the slightest to his peers. It definitely won't seem clumsy or goofy.

Name trends, and thus how names are perceived change, I genuinely thought that was common knowledge.

Jewel1968 · 15/02/2025 09:30

What's wrong with Oscar. I personally don't know any but as a teenager Oscar Wilde was one of my favourite authors. Made me realise that old literature could be good. I like the name. Don't understand why someone would think it's goofy.

Original poster
Threelittlebirds1 · 15/02/2025 09:30

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 15/02/2025 09:14

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/babynamesenglandandwalesbabynamesstatisticsboys You need to download the excel.

in my opinion, if you like Oscar just use it. Popularity doesn’t matter and children don’t necessarily want unique names - finding keyrings with your name on them is fun

Thanks for the link.
I don't mind using a popular name, but I'd rather avoid something really popular if I can find an alternative. Dd has a top 10 name, we chose it as it was our favourite and reasoned that we'd be annoyed if we didn't use it and then there were no others in the class etc...while there aren't any in her class I feel that I can't go anywhere else without hearing it, there's probably an element of confirmation bias, but I do regret not using something less common. On the other hand I have a popular name for my generation and its never bothered me!

OP posts:
Sadcafe · 15/02/2025 09:25

Grandson is Oscar, only one in his school year group, even if not, personally still think it’s better than some of the outlandish names kids get lumbered with. If you like it , fine

BettyBardMacDonald · 15/02/2025 09:21

I just think of a grown man trying to have a career & social life as "oscar," and cringe.

It might be cute on a toddler but after that is such a clumsy, goofy name.

How about something like Lawrence?

LavenderFields7 · 15/02/2025 09:18

Names similar to Oscar:

Arthur, Felix, Hugo, Oliver, Henry, Theodore, Walter, Edmund, Rupert, Victor, Lionel, Axel, Magnus, Gustav, Casper, Leif, Leo, Max, Otto, Hugo, Finn.

How do those sound?

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 15/02/2025 09:14

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/babynamesenglandandwalesbabynamesstatisticsboys You need to download the excel.

in my opinion, if you like Oscar just use it. Popularity doesn’t matter and children don’t necessarily want unique names - finding keyrings with your name on them is fun

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