Spanish and Italian form of Oswald, from Germanic os (god) and wald (rule); a medieval saint's name with deep Catholic resonance in Iberian and Latin American cultures.
Nicknames
osval
Vibe
gentle
How it ages.
Mid-20th century Latin American feel; dated but carries old-world dignity.
The cultural moment.
Common in Brazil, Argentina, and Italy through the mid-20th century; declining since.