"volcanic black glass"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Obsidian
Pronunciation: [ uhbs-IHD-ee-uhn ]
Does Obsidian flow with your last name?
Forged in volcanic fire, sharp and unbreakable
American
English
Bold
Unique
Strong
Whimsical
Modern
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Obsidian
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Obsidian
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"stone of Obsius"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Obsidian
See all →What the Obsidian report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Obsidian the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Obsidian
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Obsidian head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Obsidian actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Obsidian
Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass formed when lava cools rapidly, creating a smooth, jet-black stone with sharp edges. The word comes from the Latin 'obsidianus lapis' — literally 'stone of Obsidius,' named after a Roman named Obsius who reportedly discovered it in Ethiopia. As a given name, Obsidian belongs to the growing trend of nature-word names, bringing the raw power and mysterious beauty of this volcanic stone into personal identity.
Obsidian as a given name emerged with the broader 2010s-2020s trend of gemstone and mineral names — following Jasper, Onyx, Flint, and Stone. Parents drawn to fantasy literature, gaming culture, and nature names have embraced Obsidian for its dramatic, powerful sound and vivid imagery.
Obsidian was sacred to many pre-Columbian cultures — the Aztecs used it for ritual blades in religious ceremonies, and the Maya used obsidian for both weapons and mirrors for divination. It symbolizes protection, truth, and the removal of negative energy across many spiritual traditions.
Historical Record
Obsidian first appeared in US Social Security records in 2013.
Over 118 babies have been named Obsidian in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Obsidian is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #5,079 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Obsidian was one of the most valued trade goods in ancient Mesoamerica — the Aztecs and Maya used it for surgical blades, weapons, and ritual mirrors
- Obsidian fractures with conchoidal (shell-like) edges so sharp they can cut finer than surgical steel
- The name comes from a Roman named Obsius who reportedly found this stone in ancient Ethiopia
Obsidian in Other Languages
French
Obsidienne
German
Obsidian
Spanish
Obsidiana
Japanese
オブシディアン
Popularity Over Time
#5,079
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Obsidian
O
Obsidian Entertainment
Business
Not a person but the prominent video game studio that created Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds — helping make the...
Not a person but the prominent video game studio that created Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds — helping make the name familiar in gaming culture
O
Obsidian (Pokemon) Fictional
Other
The Pokemon Legends: Arceus game features the Hisui (Obsidian Fieldlands) region, cementing the word's cool factor in ga...
The Pokemon Legends: Arceus game features the Hisui (Obsidian Fieldlands) region, cementing the word's cool factor in gaming
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Royer
Boy
"wheel maker, cartwright"
#5,178
Texas
Boy
"friends, allies"
#4,932
Kashdyn
Boy
"variant of Kashton (Kash + ton)"
#5,132
Wilfred
Boy
"desiring peace, will and peace"
#5,034
Dodge
Boy
"nickname form of Roger"
#5,027
Compare Obsidian with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #5,079
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Sid
Obie
Obi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Obsidian
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Obsidian fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Obsidian →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Obsidian with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Obsidian
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Obsidian and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Obsidian sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Royer
Boy
Old French roue origin
"wheel maker, cartwright"
#5,178 in US
Texas
Boy
Caddo Native American origin
"friends, allies"
#4,932 in US
Kashdyn
Boy
American origin
"variant of Kashton (Kash + ton)"
#5,132 in US
Wilfred
Boy
Old English origin
"desiring peace, will and peace"
#5,034 in US
Dodge
Boy
Middle English origin
"nickname form of Roger"
#5,027 in US
Hobie
Boy
Germanic/Norman origin
"diminutive of Hobart"
#5,066 in US
Cord
Boy
Germanic origin
"bold, brave counsel"
#5,231 in US
Kaidence
Boy
Latin origin
"falling, flowing"
#4,879 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Obsidian's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Obsidian
What does the name Obsidian mean?
"volcanic black glass" (from Latin). "stone of Obsius" (from Latin). Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass formed when lava cools rapidly, creating a smooth, jet-black stone with sharp edges. The word comes from the Latin 'obsidianus lapis' — literally 'stone of Obsidius,' named after a Roman named Obsius who reportedly discovered it in Ethiopia. As a given name, Obsidian belongs to the growing trend of nature-word names, bringing the raw power and mysterious beauty of this volcanic stone into personal identity.
What is the origin of the name Obsidian?
Obsidian has Latin, American, and English origins. In Latin, it means "volcanic black glass". In Latin, it means "stone of Obsius".
Is Obsidian a boy or girl name?
Obsidian is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Obsidian?
Obsidian is pronounced uhbs-IHD-ee-uhn.
How popular is the name Obsidian?
Obsidian is currently ranked #5079 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Obsidian?
Common nicknames for Obsidian include Sid, Obie, and Obi.
What are good middle names for Obsidian?
Popular middle name pairings include Obsidian James, Obsidian Cole, Obsidian Stone, Obsidian River, Obsidian Wolf, and Obsidian Ash.
What are good sibling names for Obsidian?
Names that pair well with Obsidian as siblings include Onyx, Jasper, Flint, Sage, Slate, and Ember.
How many syllables does Obsidian have?
Obsidian has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Obsidian a common or rare name?
Obsidian is an uncommon name, ranked #5079 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Obsidian
Obsidian is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "volcanic black glass" in Latin .
Obsidian is currently ranked #5,079 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Obsidian has 4 syllables and is pronounced uhbs-IHD-ee-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Obsidian include Sid, Obie, and Obi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
O
Names Starting with O
More boy names like Obsidian
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis