Obed
From Hebrew אובד or עוֹבֵד (Oved, “servant”).
Every Obed since 1880 — 4,135 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Obed
Obed is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,072 in 2025 with 72 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 4,135 American babies have been named Obed. Its peak came in 2005, when 137 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Obed stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Obed year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72 | #2,072 |
| 2024 | 81 | #1,950 |
| 2023 | 84 | #1,888 |
| 2022 | 84 | #1,885 |
| 2021 | 83 | #1,865 |
| 2020 | 68 | #2,088 |
| 2019 | 68 | #2,123 |
| 2018 | 74 | #1,990 |
| 2017 | 62 | #2,182 |
| 2016 | 97 | #1,651 |
| 2015 | 88 | #1,750 |
| 2014 | 94 | #1,649 |
| 2013 | 99 | #1,576 |
| 2012 | 93 | #1,664 |
| 2011 | 100 | #1,572 |
| 2010 | 114 | #1,454 |
| 2009 | 117 | #1,441 |
| 2008 | 110 | #1,489 |
| 2007 | 118 | #1,397 |
| 2006 | 114 | #1,399 |
| 2005 | 137 | #1,168 |
| 2004 | 98 | #1,439 |
| 2003 | 95 | #1,407 |
| 2002 | 96 | #1,380 |
| 2001 | 87 | #1,438 |
| 2000 | 111 | #1,219 |
| 1995 | 58 | #1,597 |
| 1990 | 46 | #1,747 |
| 1985 | 33 | #1,827 |
| 1980 | 29 | #1,944 |
| 1975 | 15 | #2,720 |
| 1970 | 14 | #2,597 |
| 1965 | 5 | #4,285 |
| 1960 | 10 | #2,811 |
| 1955 | 9 | #2,916 |
| 1950 | 8 | #2,955 |
| 1945 | 6 | #3,220 |
| 1940 | 5 | #3,803 |
| 1935 | 11 | #2,353 |
| 1930 | 9 | #2,943 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3,076 |
| 1920 | 15 | #2,196 |
| 1915 | 10 | #2,568 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,279 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 6 | #883 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Obed mean?
From Hebrew אובד or עוֹבֵד (Oved, “servant”).
How popular is the name Obed in 2025?
Obed ranked #2,072 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 72 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Obed?
4,135 babies have been named Obed in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Obed most popular?
Obed peaked in 2005, when 137 newborns received the name.
Is Obed a boy or girl name?
Obed is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Obed rising or falling?
Obed has been roughly stable over the past decade.