| Meaning | divine power |
| Origin | English, Norse |
| Gender | Boy |
| Popularity | Moderate |
| Length | 6 |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Syllabification | Os-wald |
Distinguished and decidedly uncommon, this name makes an immediate impression wherever it appears. Oswald belongs to that category of names that command respect simply through their presence on a page. There's an undeniable gravitas here, a sense of heritage and substance that many contemporary names lack entirely. The name suggests intelligence, perhaps a slight eccentricity, and certainly individuality. It's perfect for parents who want their son to stand out from the crowd, who aren't afraid of choosing something that breaks away from current naming trends. Oswald has vintage charm that's currently experiencing a renaissance, as more families rediscover the appeal of names their great-grandfathers might have worn. The nickname possibilities – Ozzy, Oz, Wally – provide flexibility for different life stages and personalities. This is a name for someone who might become a professor, an inventor, an artist, or an entrepreneur – someone whose uniqueness is his greatest asset. Oswald isn't for everyone, and that's precisely its strength. It's a bold choice that signals confidence and a willingness to embrace distinctive character.
| Oz |
| Ozzy |
| Wally |
| Ossie |
| Oswald Avery | American molecular biologist |
| Oswald Mosley | British politician |
| Oswald Pohl | German Nazi official |
| Oswald Boelcke | German World War I flying ace |
| Oswald Spengler | German philosopher |
| Oswald von Wolkenstein | Austrian composer |
| Oswald Gracias | Indian Cardinal |
| Oswald Garrison Villard | American journalist and civil rights activist |
| Oswald de Andrade | Brazilian poet and playwright |
| Oswald Bayer | German Lutheran theologian |
| Oswald Chambers | Scottish preacher and author |
| Oswald Veblen | American mathematician and topologist |
| Oswald von Nell-Breuning | German Jesuit priest and economist |
| Oswald Achenbach | German painter |
| Oswald Garrison Villard Jr. | American journalist and historian |
| Oswald Lutz | German entomologist |
| Oswald Külpe | German psychologist |
| Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot | Penguin - Batman - The Animated Series |
| Oswald Hendryks Cornelius | Penguin - Gotham - TV Series |
| Oswald Cobblepot | Penguin - Batman Returns - Film |
| Oswald the Agreeable | character in Shakespeare's play "King Lear" |
| Oswald Bastable | character in Michael Moorcock's "Nomad of the Time Streams" series |
| Oswald the Octopus | character in the animated TV show "Oswald" |