Oswald
/ˈɒz.wəld/noun
A masculine given name and surname of Old English origin.
Did you know?The first element of Oswald is Old English ōs, meaning “god” or “deity,” a root also seen in the names of other Germanic figures tied to sacred power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*ansuz
“god, deity”
Old English
OE
ōs
“god, deity”
Old English
OE
weald
“power, rule, authority”
Old English
OE
Ōsweald
“god-power, divine ruler”
Middle English
ME
Oswald
“the inherited personal name”
Modern English
English
Oswald
“a masculine given name and surname”