Rising since 1985, #1,621 for boys today.
Popularity of Obadiah since 1914
Babies named Obadiah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 11 |
| 1920s | 53 |
| 1930s | 40 |
| 1940s | 29 |
| 1950s | 35 |
| 1960s | 17 |
| 1970s | 152 |
| 1980s | 166 |
| 1990s | 186 |
| 2000s | 346 |
| 2010s | 810 |
| 2020s | 676 |
Meaning & origin
Obadiah is a biblical name from the Hebrew Bible, meaning 'servant of God.' Despite its ancient roots, the name has seen a modest resurgence in recent years. After first appearing in U.S. records in 1914, Obadiah hit its peak popularity in 2024, ranking 1621. The name's trajectory has been rising since 1985, reflecting a broader trend of reclaiming Old Testament names. Obadiah is most common in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, where families often favor traditional, faith-based names. While still rare, its steady climb suggests a growing appreciation for its strong, prophetic heritage.
Obadiah is a Hebrew name derived from the elements 'ovd' (servant) and 'Yah' (God), thus meaning 'servant of God.' In the Hebrew Bible, Obadiah is a minor prophet and the author of the Book of Obadiah. The name has been used among English-speaking Christians since the Protestant Reformation, particularly among Puritans.
Where Obadiah is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Obie, Diah, Obi
Variants: Obadias, Obediah
Sibling names for Obadiah
Names that share Obadiah's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Abigail, Hannah, Miriam, Naomi, Esther, Hester, Tirzah, Huldah, Zilpha, Hananiah, Shemaiah, Hephzibah
Brothers: Elijah, Josiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Jonah, Gamaliel, Jahziel, Zebulon, Zechariah, Zephaniah, Jebediah, Jediah, Jeriel, Phinehas, Zebediah, Zedekiah, Ithiel, Jahaziel, Hazaiah, Hezakiah, Limuel
