Obada
Obada is a Muslim boy name meaning “Worship, devotion to God”.
| Meaning | Worship, devotion to God |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Arabic spelling | عبادة |
| Pronunciation | oo-BAH-dah |
| Arabic root | ع ب د (ʿ-b-d) — to worship, to serve |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Obada
Obada is a popular modern spelling of the Arabic ʿUbāda (عبادة). It is built on the root ʿ-b-d, the root of ʿibāda (worship) and ʿabd (servant), which is the most central idea in Islamic devotion: serving God alone. As a name it is usually translated as 'worship' or 'devotion to God', and some explain it as describing a person given to worship. The 'O' at the start reflects how the short Arabic 'u' is often heard and written in the Levant and Egypt.
The name owes much of its popularity to ʿUbāda ibn al-Ṣāmit, a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from the Ansar of Madinah. He was among those who took the Pledges of al-ʿAqaba and later taught the Quran in Syria. Families who want a name of the Sahaba often choose it for that reason. Today it is most common in Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt, written Obada or Obadah in English, while Ubada and Ubadah are used where a closer transliteration is preferred. The stress falls on the middle syllable: oo-BAH-dah.
Famous people named Obada
- ʿUbāda ibn al-Ṣāmit — Companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from the Ansar
Is Obada a Muslim name?
Yes. Obada (ʿUbāda) is a Muslim name of Arabic origin. It was the name of the Companion ʿUbāda ibn al-Ṣāmit, which makes it a popular choice for families who want a Sahaba name.
Is Obada in the Quran?
The name itself is not in the Quran, but its root ʿ-b-d (worship) is one of the most frequent roots in the Quran, as in 'I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me' (Quran 51:56).
Where is the name Obada used?
Most popular in Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt, where it is usually spelled Obada or Obadah.
Gifts with the name Obada
- Obada name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Obada baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Obada
More boy names like Obada
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Obada mean?
Obada means 'Worship, devotion to God'. It comes from Arabic.
Is Obada a Muslim name?
Yes. Obada (ʿUbāda) is a Muslim name of Arabic origin. It was the name of the Companion ʿUbāda ibn al-Ṣāmit, which makes it a popular choice for families who want a Sahaba name.
How do you write Obada in Arabic?
Obada is written عبادة in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Obada?
Obada is pronounced oo-BAH-dah.
Is Obada mentioned in the Quran?
The name itself is not in the Quran, but its root ʿ-b-d (worship) is one of the most frequent roots in the Quran, as in 'I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me' (Quran 51:56).
Is Obada the same as Ubada?
Yes. Obada, Obadah, Ubada and Ubadah are all English spellings of the same Arabic name, ʿUbāda.
Who was Ubada ibn al-Samit?
He was a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from the Ansar of Madinah and one of the early Muslims of the city.