A frequently-mentioned originator is Margaret Herrick, the Academy executive secretary, who, when she first saw the award in 1931, said the statuette reminded her of "Uncle Oscar", a nickname for her cousin Oscar Pierce.
En anden mulighed er oversekretær, Margaret Herrick, der i 1931 sagde, at statuetten mindede hende om hendes "Onkel Oscar" (et kælenavn, som blev brugt om hendes fætter Oscar Pierce).