_Wahlbergson_-_Oscar_I,_King_of_Sweden_and_Norway_1844-1859_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg) | |
| Pronunciation | English: /ˈɒskər/ Spanish: [ˈoskaɾ] Portuguese: [ˈɔʃkɐɾ] Italian: [ˈɔskar] German: [ˈɔskaʁ] Swedish: [ˈɔ̂sːkar] |
|---|---|
| Gender | Masculine |
| Language(s) | Irish |
| Origin | |
| Language(s) | Irish |
| Derivation | os + cara |
| Meaning | "Friend of Deer" |
| Other names | |
| Alternative spelling | Oskar |
Oscar or Oskar is a masculine given name of Irish origin.
The name is derived from two elements in Irish: the first, os, means "deer"; the second element, car, means "loving" or "friend", thus "deer-loving one" or "friend of deer". The name is borne by a character in Irish mythology—Oscar, grandson of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, and refers to his descent from his grandmother, Sadhbh, who was enchanted into the form of a deer.
The name was popularised in the 18th century by Scottish poet James Macpherson, creator of 'Ossianic poetry'. Today the name is associated with Scandinavia because Napoleon was an admirer of Macpherson's work and gave the name to his godson, Joseph Bernadotte, who later became Oscar I, King of Sweden.[1] Consequently, at the time many Swedes were named Oscar. The name was given to more than a half-dozen members of Scandinavian royal houses.[2] Oscar was the third most popular name for males born in Sweden in 2013[3] and is ranked 51 in terms of the most popular male names in Sweden.[4]
The surname McCusker originates as an Anglicised form of the Irish Mac Oscair as does the anglicised surname Cosgrave. There is alternative speculation that it may be derived from the Old Norse cognate Ásgeirr (a personal name itself composed of the elements meaning "god" and "spear").[5]
