"servant of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Obadiah
Pronunciation: [ ohb-uhd-EYE-uh ]
Does Obadiah flow with your last name?
The rarest of the great biblical names — biblical gravitas, modern nickname Obi
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Puritan
American
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Meaning & Origin
"worshipper of Yahweh"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Obadiah
Obadiah is one of the ancient Hebrew names formed with the element 'eved' (servant) combined with 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh, God's name in Hebrew scripture). The compound means 'servant of God' or 'worshipper of Yahweh.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible carried by several figures, most notably the prophet Obadiah, whose brief but powerful book is the shortest in the Old Testament. The name was embraced by English Puritans in the 17th century who favored biblical names as expressions of faith.
Obadiah was used by Puritan settlers in colonial America but has always been rare. It enjoyed modest use in the 19th century and has persisted at very low levels since. Today it appeals to parents seeking genuinely rare biblical names with history, or those who want the modern nickname 'Obi' — which has become newly appealing thanks to Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars.
The Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the entire Bible, consisting of only 21 verses. The prophet Obadiah delivered God's judgment against the nation of Edom for abandoning Israel in time of need. In Jewish tradition, Obadiah the Prophet is revered as one of the twelve minor prophets. The name has been a marker of deep religious commitment throughout history.
Historical Record
Obadiah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,283 babies have been named Obadiah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Obadiah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,416 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the entire Old Testament at just 21 verses
- Obadiah is sometimes abbreviated to 'Obe' or 'Obi,' making it a subtle Star Wars connection to Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Obadiah was popular among Puritan settlers of New England in the 1600s-1700s
Obadiah in Other Languages
Greek
Αβδιού
Latin
Abdias
Arabic
عوبديا
Hebrew
עֹבַדְיָה
Spanish
Abdías
Popularity Over Time
#1,416
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Obadiah
O
Obadiah (Prophet)
Religious
Hebrew prophet who authored the Book of Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, delivering God's judgment again...
Hebrew prophet who authored the Book of Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, delivering God's judgment against Edom
O
Obadiah Stane Fictional
Other
Villain in the Marvel film Iron Man (2008), played by Jeff Bridges — an arms dealer and the Iron Monger
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Compare Obadiah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #1,416
- Total SSA Count
- 131
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Christian Puritan American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Obi
Obie
Oba
Diah
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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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 Obadiah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Obadiah
What does the name Obadiah mean?
"servant of God" (from Hebrew). "worshipper of Yahweh" (from Hebrew). Obadiah is one of the ancient Hebrew names formed with the element 'eved' (servant) combined with 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh, God's name in Hebrew scripture). The compound means 'servant of God' or 'worshipper of Yahweh.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible carried by several figures, most notably the prophet Obadiah, whose brief but powerful book is the shortest in the Old Testament. The name was embraced by English Puritans in the 17th century who favored biblical names as expressions of faith.
What is the origin of the name Obadiah?
Obadiah has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, Puritan, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "servant of God". In Hebrew, it means "worshipper of Yahweh".
Is Obadiah a boy or girl name?
Obadiah is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Obadiah?
Obadiah is pronounced ohb-uhd-EYE-uh.
How popular is the name Obadiah?
Obadiah is currently ranked #1416 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Obadiah?
Common nicknames for Obadiah include Obi, Obie, Oba, and Diah.
What are good middle names for Obadiah?
Popular middle name pairings include Obadiah James, Obadiah John, Obadiah Samuel, Obadiah Thomas, Obadiah Elijah, Obadiah Ezra, and Obadiah Caleb.
What are good sibling names for Obadiah?
Names that pair well with Obadiah as siblings include Ezekiel, Zebediah, Jehoshaphat, Elijah, Abigail, Delilah, and Hepsibah.
How many syllables does Obadiah have?
Obadiah has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Obadiah a common or rare name?
Obadiah is an uncommon name, ranked #1416 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Obadiah
Obadiah is a boy name with Jewish, Christian, Puritan, and American origins . The name means "servant of God" in Hebrew .
Obadiah is currently ranked #1,416 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Obadiah has 4 syllables and is pronounced ohb-uhd-EYE-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Obadiah include Obi, Obie, Oba, and Diah. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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