UK girl's name
Obehi
A feminine name of Edo Nigerian origin meaning "child born on the road".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Obehi is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Obehi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4050, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 5 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2004 to 2013. 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.
Obehi is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Obehi. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Obehi ranked #4050 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 5 girls were registered as Obehi.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Obehi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4050
2013
Births in 2013
5
Latest year
Peak year
2013
5 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Obehi mean?
The name Obehi originates from the Edo language spoken by the Edo people of southern Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, particularly around the 15th century, when the powerful Benin Empire thrived in the region.
Obehi is a combination of two Edo words, "obe" meaning "child" and "hi" meaning "born." The name can be interpreted as "born a child" or "newborn child." It is a name that celebrates the joy and blessing of childbirth, reflecting the cultural significance placed on fertility and childbearing among the Edo people.
In ancient Benin folklore and oral traditions, the name Obehi is often associated with tales of prosperity, abundance, and the continuation of lineages. It was a popular name given to children, especially girls, as a symbol of hope and continuity for the family and community.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Obehi can be found in the historical accounts of the Benin Empire, where it is mentioned as the name of a princess born to the Oba (ruler) Ewuare the Great, who reigned from 1440 to 1473. This princess, Obehi, was said to have played a significant role in the diplomatic relations between the Benin Empire and neighboring kingdoms.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Obehi:
1. Obehi Akenzua (1918-1978), a Nigerian princess and activist who played a pivotal role in advocating for women's rights and education in Benin City. 2. Obehi Ezekwesili (born 1963), a Nigerian economic policy expert, former Vice President of the World Bank, and co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls movement. 3. Obehi Okojie (born 1979), a Nigerian actress and model known for her roles in Nollywood films. 4. Obehi Janice (born 1985), a British singer and songwriter of Nigerian descent, known for her blend of soul and Afrobeats music. 5. Obehi Lilian Akhigbe (born 1989), a Nigerian track and field athlete who specializes in the 400 meters hurdles and has represented Nigeria in international competitions.
The name Obehi has maintained its cultural significance and popularity among the Edo people and Nigerians of Edo descent. It continues to be a name that symbolizes the essence of life, hope, and the importance of childbirth in the cultural fabric of the Edo society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Obehi over time
The chart below shows babies named Obehi registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Obehi, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2013, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Obehi by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Obehi 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4407 | 9 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4446 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Obehi
- Olivia 123,111
- Orla 10,799
- Olive 6,815
- Ophelia 4,939
- Ottilie 4,407
- Oliwia 2,608
- Ocean 1,811
- Orlaith 1,357
- Olivia-Rose 1,250
- Octavia 1,243
- Olivia-Grace 618
- Orlagh 608
FAQ
Obehi: questions and answers
How popular is the name Obehi in the UK right now?
In 2013, Obehi was ranked #4050 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Obehi most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 5 babies registered as Obehi in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Obehi?
A feminine name of Edo Nigerian origin meaning "child born on the road".
How many people are called Obehi in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Obehi across the 4 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.