Obadiah

Meaning & origin●(measured from records)

Attested across 11 languages in the etymology graph.

Often considered alongside

Names that people choosing a name often weigh against Obadiah, most often first. They share a style rather than an origin.

• Nehemiah
• Hezekiah
• Malachi
• Uriah
• Hosea
• Boaz
• Ephraim
• Jedidiah
• Ezekiel
• Isaiah
• Josiah
• Jeremiah

From the names suggested together in public name-advice forums, in English. A list of what people consider, not a measure of how common any name is.

Other names spelled this way◐(inferred from the name graph)

Obadiah is also recorded as 5 other names, grouped separately because the records behind them do not connect to the one described above.

• Spanish given name15 spellings in the group

  Most recorded in Brazil, Peru, Mexico, United States

  Languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Swahili

  Also written Abdias, Abdías, Õbadìah, Ábdias, Âbdias

• Indonesian given name3 spellings in the group

  Most recorded in Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria

  Languages: Indonesian, Malay

  Also written Obaja

• Arabic given name3 spellings in the group

  Most recorded in Yemen, Egypt, Nigeria, United States

  Also written Õbadìah

• Amharic given name2 spellings in the group

  Most recorded in Ethiopia

  Also written አብድዩ

• French surname7 spellings in the group

  Most recorded in France, United States, Peru, Cameroon

  Also written Obadia, Abdias, Abdías

49 further groups record this spelling and are not listed here.

Grouping is the name graph's, not a register's: two spellings join a group when the evidence links them, so a group is a claim about the records rather than about the people.

Other recorded senses●(measured from records)

Obadiah is also recorded in 5 other lexicons, as a different name or as an ordinary word. These are senses of the spelling, not of the name above.

• Obadiah is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God". While it has ancient biblical roots and was favored by Puritans during the Protestant Reformation, it is a relatively uncommon name in modern times, often chosen by parents seeking a name with deep spiritual significance and historical weight.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

• The name Obadiah, of Hebrew origin, means "servant of God." It is a biblical name associated with faithfulness and service, borne by several figures in the Old Testament, including a prophet. Though less common today, it carries a sense of historical and religious reverence.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

• The name Obadiah, meaning 'servant of God,' belongs to a biblical figure known for his faithful role in overseeing the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is a strong, traditional name that suggests dedication, integrity, and a commitment to a higher purpose.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

• The name Obadiah, meaning "servant of God," has deep biblical roots and conveys a sense of faithfulness, strength, and loyalty. It is associated with several figures in the Bible, including a brave warrior known for his courage and commitment.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

• The name Obadiah is of Hebrew origin and means "servant of God." It is a strong, classic biblical name associated with the prophet who spoke of justice and restoration, making it a choice that reflects faithfulness and deep-rooted tradition.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

Ordered by how much of this spelling's record each language holds, so a sense from a language the name is barely used in sits last rather than first.

Notable people with this name●(measured from records)

• Obadiahb. 587biblical prophet associated with the Book of Obadiah
• Obadiah ben Abrahamb. 1445ITItalian rabbi (c.1450–1509)
• Obadiah ben Jacob Sfornob. 1470ITItalian philosopher and rabbi
• Obadiah Germanb. 1766USAmerican politician (1766-1842)
• Obadiah Bushb. 1797USAmerican businessman (1797-1851)
• John Obadiah Westwoodb. 1805GBEnglish entomologist and archaeologist (1805-1893)
• Obadiah Gardnerb. 1852USAmerican politician (1852–1938)
• Benjamin Zephaniahb. 1958GBnot in their usual nameBritish poet (1958–2023)
• Obie Trotterb. 1984USnot in their usual nameAmerican basketball player
• Obi Toppinb. 1998USnot in their usual nameAmerican basketball player (born 1998)

The ten people covered by the most Wikipedia language editions — a proxy for cross-cultural notability, which favours historical and Western figures over equally prominent contemporary ones — shown by birth year. Source: Wikidata (CC0).

How to address them○(machine-generated)

A formal English salutation is built on the surname, so it needs a full name — on its own, a first name only supports the informal form.

Evidence●(measured from records)

Register rows as of the 2026-10-09 data build.

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Obadiah mean, and where does it come from?

God's servant; principal place not stated Recorded by Dicionario Sefaradi De SobrenomesDictionary Of Sephardic Surnames Inclusive Cristaos-Novos, Conversos, Marranos, Italianos,….

What are other forms of the name Obadiah?

In the etymology graph, Obed, Abdias and Abdia are forms of the same name in other languages.

Is Obadiah a male or female name?

Obadiah is a male name in our records. Opposite-gender entries fall within the cross-gender noise we measure in the source data, so we don't report them as usage.

How do you pronounce Obadiah?

A machine transcription gives /oʊbədaɪə/ (IPA) for English.

In which country does Obadiah have the most bearers?

Mondonomo estimates about 17 thousand people named Obadiah in Nigeria, more than in any other country we hold, where it is most often spelled obadiah.

How common is the name Obadiah?

In the United States, the national register counted 1,523 people named Obadiah in 2020, about 1 in 218 thousand residents.