Oda Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OH-dah /oʊdə/
Origin: Japanese; Scandinavian
Meaning: Japanese: 'small'; Scandinavian: 'wealth'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Oda has its roots in the Old High German word "od" or "oda," which translates to "wealth" or "fortune." This term is related to the Proto-Germanic *audaz, which carries a similar meaning. The name evolved through various forms in the Germanic languages before being adopted into other cultures.
In the context of Scandinavian languages, Oda is often considered a feminine form of the Old Norse name Óðr, which means "poetry" or "song," linking it to the rich tradition of Norse mythology and storytelling. The name made its way into English through the influence of Old Norse during the Viking Age, although it remained relatively uncommon in English-speaking regions compared to its Germanic origins.
Historically, the name Oda has been borne by notable figures, particularly in medieval Germany and Scandinavia. One significant bearer was Oda of Meissen, a saint from the 10th century who was venerated in the region now known as Germany.
Her life and deeds contributed to the spread of Christianity in the area, and her legacy is reflected in various hagiographies from the period. The name also appears in historical texts and genealogies, often associated with noble families, indicating its status and significance in medieval society.
Culturally, the name Oda has resonated through its associations with wealth and poetic expression, embodying ideals of prosperity and creativity. In some traditions, it is linked to the concept of fate and destiny, further enriching its symbolic meaning.
The diminutive form "Odie" has also been used in various cultures, though it is less documented historically. Overall, Oda carries a sense of historical depth and cultural significance, reflecting a blend of linguistic heritage and the enduring values of wealth and artistic expression.
Famous people named Oda
In this section, you will find notable people named Oda. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Oda who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Oda who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Oda Nobunaga is a samurai and warlord best known for unifying Japan during the late 16th century.
Oda Hirano is a Japanese artist best known for his contemporary paintings and installations.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Oda, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Oda. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Oda was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Oda has ranked as high as #830 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
In the past 5 years the name Oda has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Oda is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Oda was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Oda (1942)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| KY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Oda.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1951 | 6 |
| 1950 | 8 |
| 1947 | 8 |
| 1945 | 10 |
| 1943 | 7 |
| 1942 | 12 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1940 | 11 |
| 1939 | 7 |
| 1938 | 13 |
| 1936 | 11 |
| 1935 | 16 |
| 1934 | 9 |
| 1933 | 10 |
| 1932 | 22 |
| 1931 | 12 |
| 1930 | 14 |
| 1929 | 23 |
| 1928 | 23 |
| 1927 | 23 |
| 1926 | 28 |
| 1925 | 28 |
| 1924 | 43 |
| 1923 | 24 |
| 1922 | 32 |
| 1921 | 37 |
| 1920 | 39 |
| 1919 | 39 |
| 1918 | 43 |
| 1917 | 24 |
| 1916 | 33 |
| 1915 | 30 |
| 1914 | 23 |
| 1913 | 19 |
| 1912 | 33 |
| 1911 | 25 |
| 1910 | 22 |
| 1909 | 26 |
| 1908 | 17 |
| 1907 | 14 |
| 1906 | 23 |
| 1905 | 13 |
| 1904 | 25 |
| 1903 | 24 |
| 1902 | 28 |
| 1901 | 22 |
| 1900 | 22 |
| 1899 | 23 |
| 1898 | 18 |
| 1897 | 26 |
| 1896 | 23 |
| 1895 | 25 |
| 1894 | 26 |
| 1893 | 19 |
| 1892 | 19 |
| 1891 | 18 |
| 1890 | 15 |
| 1889 | 26 |
| 1888 | 12 |
| 1887 | 12 |
| 1886 | 7 |
| 1885 | 10 |
| 1884 | 11 |
| 1883 | 11 |
| 1882 | 6 |
| 1881 | 9 |
| 1880 | 9 |