The first name Oswald

In 2025, 67 boys born in the United States were named Oswald, the 2,161st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1916, when 107 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Nicknames for Oswald

• Ozzie

• Oswald Spengler
  German historian and philosopher (1880-1936)
• Oswald Mosley
  British aristocrat and fascist politician (1896–1980)
• Oswald Avery
  Canadian-born American physician and medical researcher, 1877–1955
• Oswald Gracias
  Catholic cardinal, born 1944
• Oswald Achenbach
  German artist (1827-1905)
• Oswald Veblen
  American mathematician (1880–1960)
• Oswald de Andrade
  Brazilian poet, writer (1890–1954)
• Oswald Boelcke
  German First World War flying ace (1891–1916)
• Oswald Teichmüller
  German mathematician (1913–1943)
• Oswald Mathias Ungers
  German architect (1926–2007)
• Oswald of Worcester
  Archbishop of York (died 992)
• Oswald Chambers
  British missionary (1874-1917)

How popular is the name Oswald?

In 2025, 27 boys born in England and Wales were named Oswald, ranking 1,093rd. Its peak was 2024, with 27 births.

What are nicknames for Oswald?

Common nicknames for Oswald include Ozzie.

Is Oswald a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 4,407 US babies named Oswald since 1880 were boys.

When was Oswald most popular?

1916 in the United States, when 107 babies were named Oswald, its highest rank at 553rd.

Is Oswald also a surname?

Yes. Oswald is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.