The baby name Obadiah is a Male name , 4 syllables long and is pronounced oh-BUH-dy-uh (IPA: /ˌoʊbəˈdaɪə/).
Obadiah is Hebrew in Origin.
The baby name Obadiah is a Male name , 4 syllables long and is pronounced oh-BUH-dy-uh (IPA: /ˌoʊbəˈdaɪə/).
Obadiah is Hebrew in Origin.
Obadiah derives from Hebrew Ovadya (Ovadyah), from the root avad “to serve” plus the divine element Yah, meaning “servant of Yah(weh)” or “worshiper of the Lord.” It names a minor prophet and several figures in the Hebrew Bible; the Book of Obadiah is the shortest in the Old Testament. Via the Septuagint and Vulgate the form Abdias entered Greek and Latin.
In English, Obadiah flourished among Reformation Puritans and Nonconformists and carried to colonial New England, later becoming rare before a modest modern revival. Variants include Ovadia/Ovadya (modern Hebrew), Obadia, Obadias, and Abdias; diminutives Obie/Obi and Diah occur in English. With its strong theophoric meaning, antique resonance, and biblical pedigree, Obadiah suits parents seeking a traditional yet uncommon choice.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | 0 | #33 | 1 | 2,537 | |
| BW | Boys | 0 | #151 | 4 | 4,685 |
| TW | Boys | 0 | #256 | 1 | 7,111 |
| NG | 0 | #267 | 6 | 5,926 | |
| SG | 0 | #282 | 1 | 11,010 | |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #293 | 1 | 6,876 |
| Canada | Boys | 2024 | #302 | 5 | 2,588 |
| JP | Boys | 0 | #303 | 1 | 7,909 |
| GH | Girls | 0 | #337 | 1 | 6,973 |
| GH | Boys | 0 | #358 | 4 | 8,138 |
| JO | Boys | 0 | #389 | 1 | 7,057 |
| UY | Boys | 0 | #413 | 1 | 5,922 |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #555 | 3 | 12,905 |
| LY | 0 | #558 | 2 | 12,703 | |
| CM | Boys | 0 | #570 | 6 | 12,054 |
| BH | 0 | #587 | 1 | 17,937 | |
| NG | Boys | 0 | #611 | 400 | 16,906 |
| IQ | Boys | 0 | #697 | 1 | 13,071 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #741 | 3 | 18,093 |
| NG | Girls | 0 | #750 | 37 | 15,093 |
| United States | Boys | 2024 | #762 | 131 | 7,044 |
| SY | 0 | #766 | 2 | 11,684 | |
| OM | Boys | 0 | #918 | 1 | 17,948 |
| IN | Boys | 0 | #1,039 | 1 | 16,750 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,141 | 3 | 22,615 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,161 | 18 | 25,619 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,180 | 3 | 25,439 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,234 | 3 | 25,928 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,690 | 2 | 28,008 |
Obadiah is popular in 25 countries — most recent births per country:
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