Abdias
Abdias Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
Meaning of Abdias: Abdias is the form of the Hebrew name Obadiah (עובדיה) used in the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate Bible.
The name derives from eved (עבד, servant) and Yah, a shortened form of the divine name YHWH, yielding the meaning “servant of Yahweh.” In the Hebrew Bible, Obadiah is a minor prophet whose book—the shortest in the Old Testament, at just 21 verses—foretells judgment on the kingdom of Edom.
The Greek Septuagint translators rendered the prophet’s name as Abdias when translating the Hebrew scriptures into Greek in the 3rd to 1st centuries BCE. The Latin Vulgate, Jerome’s 4th-century CE translation, preserved this Greek form, embedding Abdias in Catholic ecclesiastical Latin and the liturgical tradition of the Western Church.
What Does Abdias Mean? Origin & Etymology
From Latin, Abdias entered Portuguese as the standard form of the prophet’s name, making it a living given name in Brazil—particularly in communities with strong Catholic biblical naming traditions.
Brazilian senator Abdias do Nascimento (1914–2011), a prominent Afro-Brazilian civil rights leader, poet, and artist, is among the most historically significant bearers of the name in the modern era.
The name also appears in Spanish-speaking Latin America and in French-influenced African communities. The Greek variant form is Abadias; in Amharic-speaking Ethiopia, the related form Obadias appears in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition.
Abdias is culturally distinct from Obadiah despite sharing the same origin: Obadiah is associated with English Protestant tradition, while Abdias belongs specifically to Catholic Latin American, Portuguese, and Francophone African communities. According to SSA records, Abdias does not rank in the US top 1000.
Numerology & Symbolism of Abdias
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Abdias – Similar Names & Alternatives
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity
Frequently Asked Questions about Abdias
What does Abdias mean?
Abdias is form of Obadiah used in the Greek and Latin Old Testament , as well as the Portuguese form (used chiefly in Brazil).
How popular is Abdias?
Abdias is rarely used in the United States but maintains its standing in Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin, Portuguese (Brazilian). SSA records show no significant US ranking for this name.
Is Abdias a boy or girl name?
Abdias is used as both a masculine and feminine given name in its home tradition. The name is most common in Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin, Portuguese (Brazilian) communities.
What are variants of Abdias?
Abdias has related forms in other languages: Obadiah (Biblical), 'Ovadya (Biblical Hebrew), Ovadia (Hebrew). These variants all share the same root and meaning.