NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Obed

A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "worshiper" or "servant of God".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Obed is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Obed popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 6 births.

This profile covers 84 England and Wales registrations across 20 recorded years from 1997 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 83 living people in the UK are called Obed. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Obed ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2001, when 6 boys were registered as Obed.
  • About 83 living people in the UK are estimated to have Obed as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3254

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2001

6 births

Estimated living

83

2026

Meaning

What does Obed mean?

The name Obed has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "עֹבֵד" ('ōḇḗḏ), meaning "servant" or "worshipper". The name was particularly significant in the biblical era, as it carried connotations of devotion and reverence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Obed can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible. In the Book of Ruth, Obed is mentioned as the son of Boaz and Ruth, and the grandfather of King David. This lineage underscores the historical and religious significance of the name within the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Obed. One of the earliest recorded figures was Obed, the son of Shemaiah, who was mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:37-38 in the Bible. Another prominent figure was Obed, the father of Jesse, who was the father of the famous King David, as mentioned in Ruth 4:17.

In the 17th century, Obed Edom was a Levite mentioned in the Old Testament who gained fame for hosting the Ark of the Covenant in his home. His faithfulness and reverence were celebrated in the biblical accounts.

During the 18th century, Obed Hussey (1792-1860) was an American inventor who is credited with developing and patenting one of the earliest successful grain reapers, revolutionizing the agricultural industry.

In the 19th century, Obed Waterhouse (1835-1876) was a British architect known for his exceptional work on various public buildings, including the Holborn Town Hall in London.

As the name Obed has deep roots in the Hebrew language and biblical tradition, it has been embraced by various cultures and communities over the centuries. While its popularity may have fluctuated, the name continues to carry a sense of reverence and devotion, reflecting its ancient origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Obed over time

The chart below shows babies named Obed registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Obed, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Obed
02356199720102024

Decades

Obed by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Obed was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3855 14 3
2010s #4087 19 5
2000s #2994 40 9
1990s #2619 11 3

Related

Names similar to Obed

FAQ

Obed: questions and answers

How popular is the name Obed in the UK right now?

In 2024, Obed was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Obed most popular?

The peak year on record was 2001, with 6 babies registered as Obed in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Obed?

A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "worshiper" or "servant of God".

How many people are called Obed in the UK?

A total of 84 babies have been registered as Obed across the 20 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.