Fun Facts About the Name Obama
- 30 babies named Obama: U.S. records list 30 babies given the name Obama from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Obama Mean?
Obama is a family name of the Luo people, whose language is Dholuo, spoken in western Kenya. It is commonly glossed as "bent" or "leaning," apparently from a Luo root connected with bending. Among the Luo, such names are patronymic: they are handed down through the male line rather than chosen for a newborn, so the name works as a surname rather than a personal given name. The exact original form and root are not firmly documented, so "bent" is best treated as the usual interpretation of the name rather than a securely reconstructed etymology.
Obama Name History & Origins
The Luo are a Nilotic people whose homeland lies along the eastern shore of Lake Victoria in western Kenya, with related communities in Uganda and Tanzania. In Luo naming, a person's surname is typically taken from a father or ancestor, and the same name recurs down the generations; Obama fits this pattern and is a familiar family name in the Kisumu and Siaya areas of Kenya.
The name is most widely recognized today as the surname of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, whose father, Barack Obama Sr., was born in Nyang'oma Kogelo in Siaya County, Kenya. Before that, Obama was an established Luo family name, and its origin is not tied to any single individual's later fame.
How Popular is the Name Obama?
Obama 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 2009. Its best rank was #5,736 in 2009.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | #5,736 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2008 | #6,309 | 14 | 0.0007% |
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 Obama 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.
✦ Obama's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Obama's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.