Fun Facts About the Name Obra
- 59 babies named Obra: U.S. records list 59 babies given the name Obra from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Obra Mean?
Obra is an Akan name meaning "life." It comes from the Akan noun ɔbra, used especially in Twi, the main literary form of Akan in southern Ghana. The spelling Obra represents the word with the Akan vowel ɔ simplified to o. The sense is literal, not a later symbolic interpretation.
The Spanish noun obra, meaning "work," comes from Latin opera and is a different word; it is not the source of the Akan name.
Obra Name History & Origins
Akan belongs to the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo language family and is spoken in southern Ghana and parts of Côte d'Ivoire. Akan personal names are often drawn from ordinary words, phrases, and proverbs, and Obra follows that pattern as a name taken directly from ɔbra. The initial ɔ is an Akan orthographic character; English spellings commonly replace it with o. The name has no separate classical or biblical etymology, and its use is tied to Akan speech and naming practice.
How Popular is the Name Obra?
Obra 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 1931. Its best rank was #3,022 in 1931.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | #6,179 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #4,234 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1954 | #4,208 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1940 | #3,804 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1934 | #4,058 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1931 | #3,022 | 8 | 0.0008% |
| 1924 | #4,779 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1923 | #4,712 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1921 | #4,795 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1919 | #4,616 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1918 | #4,621 | 5 | 0.0005% |
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 Obra 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 desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Obra's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Obra's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.