Rising since 1998, #3,450 for boys today.
Popularity of Oz since 1998
Babies named Oz per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 157 |
| 2010s | 289 |
| 2020s | 220 |
Meaning & origin
Oz is a short, punchy name that has been rising in use since 1998. It reached its peak popularity in 2019, and as of 2025 ranks 3,450th overall, with roughly 1 in 51,760 births bearing the name. The name is most associated with California, the top state for births of Oz in recent years. Its origins are uncertain but likely derive from longer names like Oscar or Oswald, or from the magical Land of Oz. While modern in its current standalone use, Oz offers a distinctive and easily recognizable choice.
Oz is a short and modern name, likely derived as a nickname for longer names beginning with 'Os-' such as Oscar or Oswald, which have Old English or Gaelic roots. Alternatively, it gained popularity as a reference to L. Frank Baum's fictional Land of Oz from the 1900 novel 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.' As a given name, Oz began appearing in the U.S. in the late 1990s, initially as a diminutive but increasingly as a standalone name.
Where Oz is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Oz” around the world
Where Oz lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Oz
Names that share Oz's style, for a brother or sister.
