Oswald

At a Glance: Name: Oswald – Meaning: god + rule/power ("god's rule") – Origin: Old English – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: AHZ-wald

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Oswald is a boy's name from Old English, formed from two parts meaning 'god' and 'rule' or 'power' — together, 'god's rule.' It's pronounced AHZ-wald. Among names with that bold, trailblazing feel, Oswald stands out for having a meaning you can point to directly rather than one that's vague or disputed.

Meaning & Origin of Oswald

Meaning: God + rule/power ("god's rule").

Origin: Old English.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Oswald

Phonetic: AHZ-wald   IPA: /ˈɑːzwəld/

Popularity of Oswald

Oswald hit its high point in 1886, ranking #465 with 16 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had dropped to #2121 — even though 70 babies were named Oswald that year, more than in 1886, showing just how many more names parents are choosing from now.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Oswald Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Oswald, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Fenric
• Chike
• Segun
• Abasi
• Abiy
• Akin

FAQ

What does the name Oswald mean?

God + rule/power (“god’s rule”). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Oswald)

How do you pronounce Oswald?

Oswald is pronounced AHZ-wald (IPA: /ˈɑːzwəld/).

Is Oswald a popular name right now?

Oswald peaked at #465 in 1886 and is ranked #2121 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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