The nameOswald
Oswald is an Anglo Saxon royal name. It is back in the top 1100 in England and Wales.
- Boy's name
- Old English
- Feast day
Meaning
Oswald comes from the Old English os, "god", and weald, "power".
Origin
Old English.
History
Saint Oswald was a king of Northumbria who died in battle in 642. In the United States the name reached 465th place in 1886. In England and Wales it reached 1076th in 2024.
Popularity of the name Oswald
Oswald in the United States
Oswald was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 763 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Oswald. Half of all babies named Oswald in the United States were born before 1936, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 57 births a year on average, against 36 in the five years before.
Oswald in France
Oswald was most popular in France in the 1970s, with 145 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Oswald. Half of all babies named Oswald in France were born before 1959, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name.
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Oswald
Names from the same generation as Oswald, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Oswald? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Oswald with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Oswald side by side with the name of your choice.
Oswald in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Oswald mean?
Oswald comes from the Old English os, "god", and weald, "power".
What is the origin of the name Oswald?
Old English.
Is Oswald a girl's or a boy's name?
Oswald is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Oswald?
In 2024, Oswald was the 2118th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 70 births.
What are the variants of the name Oswald?
Variants and related names of Oswald include Oswaldo.
What are good sibling names for Oswald?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Leonora, Marnie, Orla and Dorothea for a sister, Alphonse, Younes, Davy and Sakari for a brother.