How Many People Are Named Oswald?
Complete statistics for the name Oswald: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Oswald means 'divine power' and has a very rare presence in the US, with just 1,846 people bearing this name out of 178,721 Americans. The majority, 67%, are over 60, making it a name that's deeply rooted in older generations.
📖 Meaning & Origin
People with the life path number 2 are known for their diplomatic nature and ability to mediate conflicts.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 76All 4,330 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1916Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Oswald Through the Generations
Oswald peaked in popularity in 1916 when 107 babies were given this name, reflecting a time when classic monikers were favored. Today, the name is experiencing a resurgence, though it remains uncommon. With an average age of 76, most people named Oswald are part of the older generation, with 805 under 30, 627 between 30 and 60, and 2,898 over 60.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Oswald
Oswald is a masculine given name, from Old English Osƿeald, from os "god" and ƿeald "rule". The Old High German cognate was Answald, the Old Norse form was Ásvaldr.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Oswald's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Oswald
How Many People Have the Name Oswald?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 13,878 people in the United States currently share the name Oswald. That works out to roughly 1 in every 23,883 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Oswald a Common or Rare Name?
Oswald is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Oswald Mean?
Oswald means "divine power" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 2.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Oswald in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Oswald Most Popular?
The name Oswald reached peak popularity in 1916, with 107 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Oswald?
Approximately 13,878 people named Oswald live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 13,878. That works out to roughly 1 in 23,883 Americans.
Is Oswald a rare name?
Oswald is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 23,883 Americans has this name.
What does the name Oswald mean?
Oswald means "divine power" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Oswald more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Oswald are male and 0% are female.
When was Oswald most popular?
Oswald peaked in 1916 with 107 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.