What does Obediah mean and where does it come from?
Obediah is of Hebrew origin, spelled 'עֹבַדְיָה' in Hebrew. The name has biblical roots, being borne by a prophet mentioned in the Old Testament. The name implies devotion and servitude to God. Obediah has been used in various forms across different cultures and became more popular in Christian comm
Cultural significance
Obediah has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Hebrew-speaking communities, where it reflects values of servant of god.
Peak popularity
Reached #2514 in 1912 — currently #11857 in the US.
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Related Reading
Hebrew-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Obediah?
Obediah works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Obediah Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Obediah Rose
Floral · soft ending
Obediah Mae
Sweet · timeless
Obediah Claire
French influence · crisp
Obediah Jane
Literary · strong
Obediah Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Obediah right now?
Falling — down 1373 spots — currently #11857 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #11857 | 6 | ▼ down 1373 · -14% births |
| 2021 | #10484 | 7 | ▲ up 114 · +17% births |
| 2020 | #10598 | 6 | ▲ up 1565 · +20% births |
| 2015 | #12163 | 5 | ▲ up 180 |
| 2010 | #12343 | 5 | ▼ down 7450 |
| 1970 | #4893 | 5 | ▼ down 1467 · -17% births |
| 1935 | #3426 | 6 | ▼ down 21 · -14% births |
| 1930 | #3405 | 7 | ▲ up 474 · +17% births |
| 1925 | #3879 | 6 | ▲ up 585 · +20% births |
| 1920 | #4464 | 5 | — |
The story of Obediah
Obediah entered American naming records in 1912 and has been in use for over 112 years. With 201 total births recorded, Obediah remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4464 in 1920, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #11857 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Obediah in 1912:
Obediah by decade
Obediah peaked in the 1910s. See all 1910s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1910s | 24 | |
| 1920s | 23 | |
| 1930s ★ | 30 | |
| 1940s | 6 | |
| 1950s | 20 | |
| 1970s | 26 | |
| 1980s | 5 | |
| 1990s | 15 | |
| 2000s | 16 | |
| 2010s | 30 | |
| 2020s | 6 | |
💎Obediah has only 201 total recorded births since 1912 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Obediah?
Famous people named Obediah
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Obediah (historical community leader)
Obediah led communities across the ancient Near East who passed this name through generations.
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Obediah (historical figure)
Obediah bore this name in the Biblical tradition, reflecting its deep roots in Hebrew scripture and culture.
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Explore →What names sound and feel like Obediah?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Obediah also consider these
Common questions about the name Obediah
What does the name Obediah mean?
Obediah means "servant of God" — a name rooted in Hebrew tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Obediah?
Obediah is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Obediah have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Obediah?
Obediah originates from Hebrew tradition. Hebrew names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
What sibling names go well with Obediah?
Obediah pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Hebrew heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.
Is Obediah trending right now?
Obediah is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.