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Baby names

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

Original poster

Stuck between Oscar and Sebastian… which do you prefer and why?

62 replies

Riri22 · 29/10/2025 01:33

My Husband and I are expecting a baby boy in April and we’ve narrowed it down to two names we really love: Oscar and Sebastian

We’re completely torn. I’d love to hear what vibes each name gives you, and which one you think fits better with our last name (Diesel)

Thanks so much for helping us decide — we keep going back and forth.

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NecklessMumster · 29/10/2025 12:21

Sebastian....reminds me of the Steve Harley song

user1492757084 · 29/10/2025 12:17

Be careful of the initials.
OD
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Oscar and Sebastian are both handsome names.

DryIce · 29/10/2025 12:01

Like both but prefer Sebastian with your surname!

LeavesTrees · 29/10/2025 11:58

Sebastian. To me it just sounds more classy. It’s a name that can be shortened to Seb if he wishes and is future proof because it suits any type of job he has in the future IYSWIM.

Oscar to me is quite bland and doesn’t really suit a man, I just picture a young teenage boy when I hear the name.

Calliopespa · 29/10/2025 11:55

mumzof4x · 29/10/2025 10:21

Both lovely names
I think Sebastian for me as also love what many will and do shorten it to… Seb

Does no-one else hear things like sebaceous cyst or seborrheic wart/ seborrheic dermatitis in Seb?

I met a very pimply one and could think of nothing else.

34ransum · 29/10/2025 11:55

Oscar nn Ozzy. Seems more fun and suitable for a boy/man at any age

Katherine278 · 29/10/2025 11:52

I love Seb but not Sebastian so for that reason I’d pick Oscar.

GardenGaff · 29/10/2025 10:58

Ozzy Diesel is a cool rock star name.

LadyDanburysHat · 29/10/2025 10:56

Sebastian, a lovely underused name. There are far too many Oscars already.

Elephantangel1991 · 29/10/2025 10:55

Both very popular names round here. I'd go Oscar Sebastian as i don't like Seb so Sebastian, whilst lovely as a full name, is firmly in middle name category for me.

Humphreyhen · 29/10/2025 10:49

When it comes to nicknames, Oz Diesel sounds cooler than Seb Diesel 😎

Wildehorses · 29/10/2025 10:38

They are my two favourite boys names too! I chose Oscar for our boy, he is now 20 years old and we still love the name (as does he) but perhaps Sebastian goes better with your surname?

Missey85 · 29/10/2025 10:34

I like Sebastian or Seb as a nickname 😊 Oscar makes me think of sesame Street ❤️

Abhannmor · 29/10/2025 10:29

Didn't realise Oscar had become popular in the UK. He was a hero in Irish legends and his name means ' deer friend '. It became popular in Scandinavian countries because one of their kings , whose mother was of Irish descent was called Oscar.

Sebastian is a lovely name too. The only one I've met is called Baz mind you. I can't really choose between these two names

TimeForATerf · 29/10/2025 10:25

They were both on my DS list of names 31 years ago! Sebastian was slightly ahead by 1 place. In the end I called him preferred name no.1 with Sebastian as 2 and Oscar as 3, so neither Sebastian or Oscar in the end :-)

Humphreyhen · 29/10/2025 10:24

Sorry, just don’t like Sebastian or Seb at all so it would have to be Oscar.

PrincessOfPreschool · 29/10/2025 10:23

PflumPfeffer · 29/10/2025 01:42

Usually I have a strong preference for one on these sort of threads but I love both! Really nice names and due a comeback. Sebastian reminds me of The Neverending Story and The Little Mermaid, and Oscar of course reminds me of Oscar Wilde. 😍

Due a comeback??! There's a fair few of both round here, loads of Oscars (Oscar I, Oscar P etc). I prefer Seb (Sebastian) and Seb Diesel is a really punchy name. I always think Oscar is a bit doggish.

TokyoSushi · 29/10/2025 10:22

Oscar often turns into Ozzy which I really don't like.

Seb Diesel is an epic name!

mumzof4x · 29/10/2025 10:21

Both lovely names
I think Sebastian for me as also love what many will and do shorten it to… Seb

BoleynMemories13 · 29/10/2025 10:19

Natsku · 29/10/2025 02:59

Oscar, lovely name that I think is underused. Sebastian is a bit of a mouthful to say (not against long names but that particular name doesn't flow easily to me), the one Sebastian I know shortens it to Sebu, which just makes me think of that Veggie Tales song 'the song of Cebu'

Name popularity does vary, depending on where you are, but Oscar is overused around me. Along with Archie and Teddy, it's by far one of the most popular boys names among the primary age phase around me.

BoleynMemories13 · 29/10/2025 10:16

I'm not too keen on Sebastian as a full name, but I love Seb which is super cool. I think it goes better with your surname too.

Oscar is ok, but I hate Ozzy. I know so many children called Oscar that I find it a bit meh to be honest.

If he will be known as Seb day to day, I vote for Sebastian.

Bipitybopitybo · 29/10/2025 07:33

Natsku · 29/10/2025 05:21

Ah didn't know, guess its made a revival. Still a good name though.

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Yep the south east there are a lot of Oscar’s and Freddie’s!

Natsku · 29/10/2025 05:21

Bipitybopitybo · 29/10/2025 04:41

Underused?? In the south east every baby group I went to there were at least 3 Oscars, nursery and reception there are two in my DCs class

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Ah didn't know, guess its made a revival. Still a good name though.

daniellehay · 29/10/2025 05:20

Sebastian Diesel, it sounds and looks nicer.

Calliopespa · 29/10/2025 05:01

Sebastian is having a strange reincarnation with a very different vibe from the one it traditionally had. I believe it is the formula 1 driver who has "driven" this.

I have to say the contexts in which I am hearing it used have put me off it (think screeched across supermarkets and playgrounds.)

A while back every other boy born was Oscar but I've not heard as many lately.