MallowbyNames

Oday

OH-day · Of debated origin; possibly a variant of Odai, meaning 'flock' or 'herd' in Arabic, or derived from the Arabic root 'ada' (to return).

2025 rank (boys)
#5,861
Babies named in 2025
15
Peak popularity
2018
2025 frequency
1 in 113,872 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 2012

Rising since 2012, #5,861 for boys today.

Popularity of Oday since 1991

Babies named Oday per year in U.S. Social Security records.

61319200020102020Most births 2018Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1990s11
2000s0
2010s71
2020s82

Meaning & origin

Oday is a rare masculine name of Arabic origin that entered U.S. records in 1991. It reached its peak popularity in 2018, yet remains uncommon, with a 2025 rank of 5,861 and only 1 in 113,872 newborn boys receiving the name. Its usage has been rising since 2012, and it is most frequently recorded in New York. While the name's etymology is debated between meanings such as 'flock' and 'herd,' it carries a distinct, modern feel within the context of Arabic naming traditions. Parents seeking a name with cultural resonance but low frequency may find Oday an appealing choice.

The name Oday is likely a variant of Odai (also spelled Odey, Oday), which has Arabic origins. In Arabic, 'Odai' (عُدي) is a name that can mean 'a herd of camels' or 'a flock,' derived from the root 'ada' (to run or flee). Alternatively, it may be related to the root 'awada' (to return). Historically, the name has been used in Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities, particularly in the Middle East and among diaspora populations. It gained some usage in the United States in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Where Oday is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Oday” around the world

Where Oday lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    5

    babies in 2024

Sources: INSEE (France).

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Odai, Odey, Uday

Sibling names for Oday

Names that share Oday's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Layla, Noor, Zara, Amina, Hana

Brothers: Zayn, Amir, Khalid, Yusuf, Samir

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

O is for Oday, our favorite little boy.

O is for Oday…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Oday's letter becomes Oday's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Oday's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Oday mean?
Oday is a name of Arabic origin, possibly meaning 'flock' or 'herd,' though its exact meaning is debated.
How popular is the name Oday?
As of 2025, Oday ranked 5,861 in the U.S., with about 1 in 113,872 newborn boys given the name that year.
Is Oday a boy's or girl's name?
Oday is almost exclusively used as a boy's name, as indicated by its U.S. Social Security data.