O
Masculine
Anglo-Saxon
Meaning & History
Oswine is an Old English masculine given name, derived from the elements ōs ("god") and wine ("friend"). It is the original form of the later English name Oswin. The name's Germanic root goes back to Proto-Germanic Ansuwiniz, and it is cognate with Old Norse Ásviðr.
In Anglo-Saxon England, Oswine was borne by several notable figures. The most famous is Saint Oswine, a 7th-century king of Northumbria (reigned 642–651), who is venerated as a Christian martyr. He was murdered on the orders of his rival Oswiu, later king of Northumbria, and later canonized. Another early bearer was Oswine of Kent, a 7th-century king of Kent whose 679 charter is recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
After the Norman Conquest of England, Old English names like Oswine fell out of common usage, eventually dying out by the 14th century. There was a brief revival of interest during the 19th-century Victorian era's fascination with Anglo-Saxon names, but the name remains rare today. Its linked etymological component wine appears in many other Anglo-Saxon names, such as Eoforwine (friend of the boar) and Eadwine (rich friend).
In Anglo-Saxon England, Oswine was borne by several notable figures. The most famous is Saint Oswine, a 7th-century king of Northumbria (reigned 642–651), who is venerated as a Christian martyr. He was murdered on the orders of his rival Oswiu, later king of Northumbria, and later canonized. Another early bearer was Oswine of Kent, a 7th-century king of Kent whose 679 charter is recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
After the Norman Conquest of England, Old English names like Oswine fell out of common usage, eventually dying out by the 14th century. There was a brief revival of interest during the 19th-century Victorian era's fascination with Anglo-Saxon names, but the name remains rare today. Its linked etymological component wine appears in many other Anglo-Saxon names, such as Eoforwine (friend of the boar) and Eadwine (rich friend).
- Meaning: "friend of god"
- Origin: Old English (Anglo-Saxon)
- Type: Given name
- Usage: Anglo-Saxon England
Sources: Wiktionary — Oswine