Ovadia Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: oh-VAH-dee-ah //oʊˈvɑːdiə//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my shepherd
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ovadia is of Hebrew origin, derived from the root words "ovad," meaning "to serve," and "Yah," a shortened form of the Tetragrammaton, representing the name of God in Hebrew. The earliest form of the name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where it is transliterated as "Ovadiah." This biblical name is found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Obadiah, which dates back to the 6th century BCE.
The name has been carried through various translations, including the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, before entering the English lexicon through the influence of these biblical texts. Historically, Ovadia has been borne by several notable figures, including prophets and scholars in Jewish tradition.
One of the most significant figures is the biblical prophet Obadiah, who is credited with delivering a message of judgment against Edom. His writings are among the shortest books in the Hebrew Bible, yet they hold considerable theological significance, particularly regarding themes of justice and divine retribution.
The name has also been associated with various Jewish scholars and leaders throughout the centuries, contributing to its enduring presence in Jewish culture. Culturally, the name Ovadia resonates with themes of servitude and devotion, reflecting a deep-rooted connection to faith and spirituality within Jewish tradition.
It symbolizes a commitment to serving God and the community, which has helped maintain its relevance across generations. The name may also appear in various diminutive forms, such as Ovi, which have been used affectionately in familial contexts.
Overall, Ovadia embodies a rich historical and cultural legacy, rooted in ancient texts and traditions.
Famous people named Ovadia
In this section, you will find notable people named Ovadia. 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 Ovadia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Ovadia 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.
Ovadia Yosef was a rabbi and spiritual leader best known for his role as the Chief Rabbi of Israel and his extensive writings on Jewish law.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ovadia, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ovadia was first seen in the United States in 2011.
Ovadia has ranked as high as #11551 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Ovadia has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ovadia 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 Ovadia was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Ovadia.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 12 |
| 2024 | 11 | 11 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 13 | 13 |
| 2020 | 15 | 15 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 13 | 13 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 |
| 2015 | 9 | 9 |
| 2014 | 15 | 15 |
| 2013 | 11 | 11 |
| 2011 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Ovadia (2021)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |