Obi

♂ Boy

Pronounced OH-bee /ˈoʊ.bi/High

Meaning: From Igbo obi, 'heart' — also a royal title (the Obi of Onitsha); galaxy-famous via Obi-WanHigh

In 30 seconds: Heart, fully charged: Obi is Igbo for the heart itself — a royal title in Onitsha and a Jedi prefix everywhere else. These are the names you're looking for.

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Origin HighIgbo

MeaningFrom Igbo obi, 'heart' — also a royal title (the Obi of Onitsha); galaxy-famous via Obi-Wan

U.S. rank (2024)#3854 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births29 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 270

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Obi comes from Igbo obi, 'heart' — also the royal title of Onitsha's kings. Compounds like Obinna ('father's heart') spring from it; Star Wars amplified the sound.

In the U.S. it appears in Nigerian families. Rare, heart at the root, and royal.

Did you know? The Obi of Onitsha reigns as Igbo royalty — and George Lucas's Obi-Wan made the syllables a galactic blessing; Igbo families simply mean 'heart'.

Overall data confidence 82%

Igbo references — obi — etymology

Variations

ObinnaObie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Obi…

Mazi— a fellow Igbo choice

Jidenna— another Igbo name

Ori— lands in the same popularity range

Oswin— the same royal feel

Duncan— the same royal feel

Browse the whole category: All Igbo names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Obi mean?

Obi is Igbo for 'heart', and a royal title in Onitsha.

How do you pronounce Obi?

It's said OH-bee /ˈoʊ.bi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Obi a boy or girl name?

Obi is a boy's name.

How popular is Obi?

Obi is a rare name in the U.S.