Obadiah

Pronunciation: [ ohb-uhd-EYE-uh ]

Boy Name #1,416 Most Popular Hidden Gem 4 Syllables

The rarest of the great biblical names — biblical gravitas, modern nickname Obi

Jewish Christian Puritan American

Traditional Spiritual Vintage Bold Literary

Meaning & Origin

"servant of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"worshipper of Yahweh"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Obadiah

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

Obadiah Stane Fictional

Other

Villain in the Marvel film Iron Man (2008), played by Jeff Bridges — an arms dealer and the Iron Monger

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

Pairs Well With

Obadiah James Obadiah John Obadiah Samuel Obadiah Thomas Obadiah Elijah Obadiah Ezra Obadiah Caleb

Sibling Names

Ezekiel Zebediah Jehoshaphat Elijah Abigail Delilah Hepsibah

Similar Names

Joseph Isaac Moses Elijah Joshua Isaiah Elisha Josiah

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.