Is Oscar really popular?

[WhatAPredicament]

We like this name and don't know any personally but I get the feeling it has certainly been a popular choice in the last few years - has it been a trendy one that will, therefore, date? I know it's a name that can divide opinions but am really just asking if it has been overdone. Thanks!

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I know of 2, who live nowhere near each other.

I think it is one of those names which is massively popular in particular pockets of the country, less so in others.

[malvinandhobbes]

Oops. Zombie thread Sorry.

[malvinandhobbes]

The dating of names is a stupid argument because you just can't know what will be popular. We have a 13 year old Oscar. I was around the 400th most popular name in 2003. Very not trendy.

You can go as traditional or not trendy as you want, and then 13 years later the name is everywhere. Pick a name you like.

[badtime]

Shit, i just saw this is a zombie.

I stand by my educational nitpick.

[badtime]

HeyJudith, I'm going to nitpick too, about Barbara .

You can hardly call it new and flash in the pan when it is the name of a very early saint , and the name is still extremely popular in many countries.

It used to be popular in England, but as it's so Catholic it became less popular after the Reformation. You know, the one that happened centuries ago.

[elQuintoConyo]

ZOMBIE!

I have met two Oscars in all my 40 years. One is mid-30s the other is my DS.

It bloody rocks

[MrsJoeyMaynard]

I wonder if "reduce las name" is supposed to be "ridiculous name"????

[caju]

So somebody bumped a 3 year old thread because they're worried that Oscar is a "reduce las name".

[MrsJoeyMaynard]

Oooh. Just looked at the date the OP posted. Her baby must be just a few months off his third birthday now

[MrsJoeyMaynard]

I know something like 3 or 4 Oscars under 7 yrs. No older ones.

It's popular now, probably will fall out of fashion at some point, but it'll probably cycle back up in popularity too at some future point.

Most names are cyclical in popularity and fall in and out of fashion, so most names will date a baby to some extent. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. I wouldn't let it put me off if I really loved Oscar - it's not like Oscar is a new made up name that's appeared out of nowhere, after all.

Although if you really want a name that won't date a baby, why not go for James? I read some article a while back that said that James was the only boys name to have stayed in the top 20 in England and Wales over the last 100 years.

[caju]

My cousin has a 1 year old called Oscar. Think it's pretty popular right now.

[pictish]

What's a reduce las name - is that a typo?

[pictish]

We have an Oscar too. He's 14. We got the name from reminiscing about Sesame Street and didn't know of any other. I was gutted when it took off like it did but we still really like it. I agree it's a classic name and dates well...but I would say that wouldn't I?

[HooseRice]

Pistorious

[Nelleflowerpot]

Yep very! My DS was in a swimming class with 4 plus 1 Oliver. The funny thing was 3 of the Oscars mums said they had wanted Oliver but thought it was to popular.
The lesson is just pick the name you like best!

[Mandy2468]

I like the name Oscar I'm plannning on calling my baby Oscar as I'm due in 2 weeks but 2 people are saying its a reduce las name

[HeyJudith]

[HeyJudith]

But... Denise is not a classic. The variant of Dionysus that is Denise, only dates to the 1920s. Denise itself as a stand alone name is not an old French name. It was not in use before 20C.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Yep, 'fraid so. It's been used in France for a long, long time.

[HeyJudith]

Rhubarb is that true about Denise? I did not know :) That suprises me, the same as if you'd said "Charrdonnaye-Maiia is acrually an Olde-English name which was first mentioned the the Doomsday Book".

Squoosh well y'know... they are square by today's standards... full of churchy sort of goodness. Having said that, David Beckham is not square... nor is Andrew Flintoff ...

[LaRegina]

Personally I know three Oscars under the age of one. That would be enough to put me off, but that's just me.

My eldest's name has just entered the top 100 and I was miffed about that

[Rhubarbgarden]

Good summary Judith, but if I may nit pick, Denise needs moving to category 2, as, like Oscar, it is an old European name (meaning 'follower of Dionysus') and enjoyed a period of popularity last century, which is why it now sounds dated.

[samuelwhiskers]

I have an Oscar and he is 14, there is only one other at his school who is older and the only other I know is in his 40s. Isn't popular where I live in the SW!