US Popularity Rank: 6983

Origin: Nigerian

Meaning: Heart; Father's heart; Heart of God; Servant of God

Obi is a boy’s name of Nigerian and Hebrew origin. Obi most commonly originates from Igbo, where it translates to “heart,” “father’s heart,” or “heart of God.” In an Igbo household, the Obi often refers to the first house in the family compound where guests are received or family members come together to embrace their spiritual connection, which can easily be seen as the heart of the home. Due to this, Obi is often considered an aristocratic title, given to the eldest in the family. This name is also a popular variant of the Hebrew name Obadiah, with the religious meaning “servant of God.” Obi will also be familiar to fans of the Star Wars franchise, made famous by noble Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe and acts as one of the true hearts of the series, owing to his close mentorship with fellow protagonist Luke Skywalker.