Fun Facts About the Name Obada
- 32 babies named Obada: U.S. records list 32 babies given the name Obada from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Obada Mean?
Obada is an English-letter spelling of the Arabic male name ʿUbādah, also written Ubadah, Obadah, or Ubada. It comes from the Arabic root ʿ-b-d, which concerns service and worship. The related noun ʿibādah means "worship" or "service," and the name is usually glossed with that meaning. The personal name has a different vocalization from the noun, so it is best described as closely related to ʿibādah rather than as a direct transliteration of it.
The similar-looking Hebrew name Obadiah (ʿOvadyah) means "servant of Yahweh" and is not the source of Obada. The resemblance comes from transliteration, not from a shared origin.
Obada Name History & Origins
The name is part of the Arabic onomastic tradition. It is traditionally associated with ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit, a companion of Muhammad from Medina. He was one of the Ansar and is remembered in early Islamic accounts as a participant in the pledge at ʿAqabah and the Battle of Badr, and as a narrator of hadith.
Arabic names written in Latin letters take several forms because the Arabic script records consonants and long vowels rather than every short vowel. Obada, Obadah, Ubadah, and Ubada therefore represent the same name; Obada omits the initial ʿayn and renders the final tāʾ marbūṭah simply as -a. The spelling is used in Arabic-speaking communities and among Muslims in other countries, with the choice of form often reflecting local transliteration habits.
How Popular is the Name Obada?
Obada has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2011. Its best rank was #8,580 in 2011.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | #11,743 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | #8,580 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2001 | #8,964 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2000 | #11,665 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #10,353 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with O
Short Boy Names That Start with O
How the Name Obada Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are patient, persevering and strong willed. You are a good student, absorbing knowledge easily and retaining it well. You are either a saint or a sinner. You tend to hold things inside and suffer in silence. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Obada's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Obada's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.