Obadiah
Obadiah is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Servant of the Lord or worshiper of Yahweh.
Origin and history
Obadiah is a traditional masculine name of Biblical Hebrew origin meaning servant of Yahweh. In the Old Testament, it is borne by a minor prophet who authored the Book of Obadiah as well as several other figures. While historically rare in the United States, it maintains a steady presence among parents seeking classic biblical names with a distinctive sound.
Popularity in the United States
2,521 babies in the United States have been named Obadiah since 1880. It ranks #2582 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1287.
States where it is most popular
- CA (25.9 %)
- TX (17.4 %)
- FL (7.2 %)
- WA (6.1 %)
- MI (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 11 |
| 1920-1930 | 53 |
| 1930-1940 | 40 |
| 1940-1950 | 29 |
| 1950-1960 | 35 |
| 1960-1970 | 17 |
| 1970-1980 | 152 |
| 1980-1990 | 166 |
| 1990-2000 | 186 |
| 2000-2010 | 346 |
| 2010-2019 | 810 |
| 2020-2029 | 676 |
Famous people named Obadiah
- Obadiah Holmes: Minister, Pioneer
- Obadiah Stane: Fictional character
Nicknames
Obie, Obe, Oba
Fun facts
- The Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament, consisting of only 21 verses.
- Obadiah was notably popular among 17th-century Puritans and early American settlers alongside other distinctive Old Testament names.