Obediah is a unique and rare name of Hebrew origin. It means "servant of God" or "worshipper of God". The name is derived from the Hebrew name 'Obed-Edom', which consists of two parts: 'Obed' meaning "servant" and 'Edom' meaning "red".
The name Obediah appears in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Samuel. Obededom, also known as Obediah, was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David. He is considered to be a righteous man, and his faithfulness to God earned him a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures named Obediah. One of them is Obediah Cranson, a prominent English merchant and banker during the 18th century. Another notable figure is Obediah Southall, a British engineer who made significant contributions to the development of the steam engine.
Despite its biblical origins and historical significance, the name Obediah has not gained widespread popularity over time. It remains a rare choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Obediah has seen varying popularity over the past century, with peaks of popularity occurring in the late 1950s and early 2020s. The highest number of births in a single year was 8, which occurred most recently in 2017. Despite its unique spelling and sound, Obediah has consistently remained a rare choice for parents, with only one or two instances of it being chosen each year since the early 1900s.