Oswald
Oswald: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɒzwəld/
Meaning and origin of Oswald
Root meaning: “god, deity”
- A male given name from Old English.
Etymology
Proto-West Germanic *Ansuwald Inherited from Old English Ōsweald, from ōs (“god, deity”) + weald (“power”). Cognate with German Answald, Faroese and Icelandic Ásvaldur, and Norwegian Nynorsk Åsvald.
How popular is Oswald?
Since 1880, 4,407 boys in the U.S. have been named Oswald. Its highest rank for boys was #465 in 1886. In 2025, 67 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Oswald
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Oswald
Sister and brother names that share Oswald's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Oswald FAQ
What does the name Oswald mean?
Oswald traces back to a root meaning "god, deity". A male given name from Old English. Proto-West Germanic *Ansuwald Inherited from Old English Ōsweald, from ōs (“god, deity”) + weald (“power”). Cognate with German Answald, Faroese and Icelandic Ásvaldur, and Norwegian Nynorsk Åsvald.
What is the origin of the name Oswald?
Oswald is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Oswald?
Since 1880, 4,407 boys in the U.S. have been named Oswald. Its highest rank for boys was #465 in 1886. In 2025, 67 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Oswald a boy or girl name?
Oswald is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 0 girls and 4,407 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.