öskar

Óskar is a masculine given name primarily used in Iceland. It is the Icelandic form of Oscar, a name that has been adopted in many languages and cultures. The etymology of Oscar is uncertain. It is commonly traced to the Old Irish name Osgar, and forms of the name have been interpreted in different ways, including as meaning “deer-loving” or “spear of the gods.”

In Icelandic usage, Óskar has been a regular name since the modern era and remains a traditional choice for newborn boys. Outside Iceland, the spelling Óskar appears in Scandinavian communities and among diaspora populations, though the name is most closely associated with Icelandic culture. The name is typically masculine; there is no widely used feminine form.

Notable bearers of the name Óskar include various Icelandic figures in sport, culture and public life, reflecting its established presence in the country. In broader contexts, Óskar is recognized as the local Icelandic variant of Oscar in literature and media.

Variations and related names include Oscar in English, Oskar in German and several Scandinavian languages, and Osgar as an ancient form from which Óskar is descended. Patronymic surnames such as Óskarsson mean “son of Óskar,” illustrating the cultural use of the given name within Icelandic naming conventions.