Welcome to our full list of biblical names that begin with ‘O’, covering people and places. For more, have a look at our A-Z directory hub.
Disclaimer: The list contains the most commonly accepted meanings of names. However, scholars are still debating over the precise definition(s) for some. New findings may change our present understanding.
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1.) Obadiah
Original (Hebrew): עֹבַדְיָה (ʿŌḇaḏyā)
Meaning: “Servant of Yahweh” or “worshiper of Yahweh”
First Appearance: 1 Kings 18:3
Description: The governor of Ahab’s palace, who hid and fed a hundred prophets of Yahweh during Jezebel’s persecution. Also, the name of a prophet who wrote the book of Obadiah, which pronounces judgment on Edom. Also several other minor figures.
2.) Obal
Original (Hebrew): עוֹבָל (ʿÔḇāl)
Meaning: Possibly “bare hill” or “stripped”
First Appearance: Genesis 10:28
Description: A son of Joktan, a descendant of Shem. Also spelled Ebal in 1 Chronicles 1:22.
3.) Obed
Original (Hebrew): עוֹבֵד (ʿŌḇēḏ)
Meaning: “Serving” or “worshiper”
First Appearance: Ruth 4:17
Description: The son of Boaz and Ruth, and the grandfather of David. Also, one of David’s mighty men, a gatekeeper in the temple, and a descendant of Judah.
4.) Obed-edom
Original (Hebrew): עֹבֵד אֱדֹם (ʿŌḇēḏ ʾÉḏōm)
Meaning: “Servant of Edom” or possibly “worshiper of Edom”
First Appearance: 2 Samuel 6:10
Description: A Gittite in whose house the ark of the covenant was kept for three months after Uzzah’s death. God blessed Obed-edom and his household because of the ark’s presence. Also, a Levite musician and gatekeeper in the time of David.
5.) Obil
Original (Hebrew): אוֹבִיל (ʾÔḇîl)
Meaning: Possibly “camel driver” or “mourner”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 27:30
Description: An Ishmaelite who was in charge of David’s camels.
6.) Oboth
Original (Hebrew): אֹבֹת (ʾŌḇōṯ)
Meaning: “Water-skins” or “bottles”
First Appearance: Numbers 21:10
Description: An encampment of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings.
7.) Ocran
Original (Hebrew): עָכְרָן (ʿAḵrān)
Meaning: “Turbid” or “disturber”
First Appearance: Numbers 1:13
Description: The father of Pagiel, a leader of the tribe of Asher during the Exodus.
8.) Oded
Original (Hebrew): עוֹדֵד (ʿÔḏēḏ)
Meaning: “Restorer” or “he has restored”
First Appearance: 2 Chronicles 15:1
Description: The father of Azariah, a prophet in the time of King Asa. Also, a prophet in Samaria who urged the Israelites to return Judean captives.
9.) Og
Original (Hebrew): עוֹג (ʿÔḡ)
Meaning: Possibly “long-necked” or “giant”
First Appearance: Numbers 21:33
Description: The Amorite king of Bashan, who was defeated by the Israelites under Moses. He was described as a giant, the last of the Rephaites.
10.) Ohel
Original (Hebrew): אֹ֫הֶל (ʾŌhel)
Meaning: “Tent”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 3:20
Description: A descendant of Zerubbabel.
11.) Olivet
Original (Hebrew): הַזֵּיתִים
Meaning: “Of Olives”
First Appearance: 2 Samuel 15:30 (KJV)
Description: An alternate translation for the Mount of Olives.
12.) Olympas
Original (Greek): Ὀλυμπᾶς (Olympas)
Meaning: “Heavenly” or “belonging to Olympus” (a Greek name)
First Appearance: Romans 16:15
Description: A Christian in Rome to whom Paul sent greetings.
13.) Omar
Original (Hebrew): אוֹמָר (ʾÔmār)
Meaning: “Eloquent” or “speaker”
First Appearance: Genesis 36:11
Description: A grandson of Esau.
14.) Omega
Original (Greek): Ὦ μέγα
Meaning: “The end”
First Appearance: Revelation 1:8
Description: The last letter in the Greek alphabet, used to symbolize God’s eternal nature.
15.) Omri
Original (Hebrew): עָמְרִי (ʿOmrî)
Meaning: Possibly “sheaf of grain” or “Yahweh apportions”
First Appearance: 1 Kings 16:16
Description: The sixth king of the northern kingdom of Israel. He was a powerful and successful military leader, but he is condemned in the Bible for his wickedness and idolatry. He established Samaria as the capital of Israel. Also, the name of several other minor figures.
16.) On
Original (Hebrew): אֹן (ʾŌn)
Meaning: “Strength” or “vigor”
First Appearance: Genesis 41:45
Description: A city in Egypt, also called Heliopolis, known for its temple to the sun god Ra. Also, a Reubenite who participated in Korah’s rebellion.
17.) Onam
Original (Hebrew): אוֹנָם (ʾÔnām)
Meaning: “Vigorous” or “strong”
First Appearance: Genesis 36:23
Description: A Horite, a son of Shobal. Also, a descendant of Judah through Jerahmeel.
18.) Onan
Original (Hebrew): אוֹנָן (ʾÔnān)
Meaning: “Vigorous” or “strong”
First Appearance: Genesis 38:4
Description: The second son of Judah. He was killed by God for refusing to fulfill his duty to his deceased brother’s wife, Tamar, by fathering a child with her.
19.) Onesimus
Original (Greek): Ὀνήσιμος (Onēsimos)
Meaning: “Useful” or “profitable”
First Appearance: Colossians 4:9
Description: A runaway slave who became a Christian through Paul’s ministry. Paul sent him back to his master, Philemon, with a letter (the book of Philemon) urging Philemon to receive him as a brother in Christ.
20.) Onesiphorus
Original (Greek): Ὀνησιφόρος (Onēsiphoros)
Meaning: “Bringing profit” or “useful”
First Appearance: 2 Timothy 1:16
Description: A Christian who showed kindness to Paul during his imprisonment in Rome.
21.) Ono
Original (Hebrew): אוֹנוֹ (ʾÔnô)
Meaning: Possibly “strong” or “vigorous”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 8:12
Description: A town in the territory of Benjamin, rebuilt after the exile.
22.) Ophel
Original (Hebrew): עֹ֫פֶל (ʿŌp̄el)
Meaning: “Hill” or “mound”
First Appearance: 2 Chronicles 27:3
Description: A fortified hill in Jerusalem, located south of the temple mount.
23.) Ophir
Original (Hebrew): אוֹפִר (ʾÔp̄îr)
Meaning: Unknown
First Appearance: Genesis 10:29
Description: A region famous for its gold, mentioned in the Old Testament. Its exact location is uncertain, but it may have been in southern Arabia, Africa, or India. Also, a son of Joktan.
24.) Ophni
Original (Hebrew): עָפְנִי
Meaning: “Fawn”
First Appearance: Joshua 18:24
Description: A town in the territory of Benjamin.
25.) Ophrah
Original (Hebrew): עָפְרָה (ʿOp̄rā)
Meaning: “Fawn” or “young deer”
First Appearance: Joshua 18:23
Description: A town in the territory of Benjamin. Also, a town in the territory of Manasseh, the hometown of Gideon. Also, the name of a descendant of Judah.
26.) Oreb
Original (Hebrew): עֹרֵב (ʿŌrēḇ)
Meaning: “Raven”
First Appearance: Judges 7:25
Description: One of the two Midianite princes captured and killed by Gideon. Also, the name of the rock where Oreb was killed.
27.) Oren
Original (Hebrew): אֹ֫רֶן (ʾṒren)
Meaning: “Pine tree” or “ash tree”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 2:25
Description: A descendant of Judah through Jerahmeel.
28.) Ornan
Original (Hebrew): אָרְנָן
Meaning: Possibly “strong” or “agile”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 21:15
Description: The Jebusite from whom David purchased the threshing floor that became the site of the temple in Jerusalem. Also called Araunah.
29.) Orpah
Original (Hebrew): עָרְפָּה (ʿOrpā)
Meaning: Possibly “back of the neck” or “fawn”
First Appearance: Ruth 1:4
Description: One of the Moabite women who married into the family of Elimelech and Naomi. She was the sister-in-law of Ruth. Unlike Ruth, she chose to return to her own people after the death of her husband.
30.) Osee
Original (Greek): Ὠσηέ
Meaning: “Salvation”
First Appearance: Romans 9:25
Description: The Greek form of Hosea in the New Testament.
31.) Oshea
Original (Hebrew): הושֵׁעַ
Meaning: “Salvation”
First Appearance: Numbers 13:8
Description: The original name of Joshua son of Nun.
32.) Othni
Original (Hebrew): עָתְנִי (ʿOṯnî)
Meaning: Possibly “lion of Yahweh” or “my time/hour”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 26:7
Description: A Levite, a gatekeeper in the time of David.
33.) Othniel
Original (Hebrew): עָתְנִיאֵל (ʿOṯnîʾēl)
Meaning: “Lion of God” or “God is my strength”
First Appearance: Joshua 15:17
Description: The first judge of Israel. He delivered the Israelites from the oppression of Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia. He was the son of Kenaz and the nephew of Caleb.
34.) Ozem
Original (Hebrew): אֹ֫צֶם (ʾṒṣem)
Meaning: “Strength” or “might”
First Appearance: 1 Chronicles 2:15
Description: One of David’s brothers. Also, a descendant of Judah through Jerahmeel.
35.) Ozias
Original (Greek): Ὀζίας
Meaning: “Strength of the Lord”
First Appearance: Matthew 1:8-9
Description: The Greek form of Uzziah, an ancestor of Jesus.
36.) Oznites
Original (Hebrew):
Meaning: “Descendants of Ozni”
First Appearance: Numbers 26:16
Description: A clan within the tribe of Gad.
37.) Ozni
Original (Hebrew): אָזְנִי (ʾOznî)
Meaning: Possibly “having ears” or “attentive”
First Appearance: Numbers 26:16
Description: A son of Gad, and founder of the Ozni clan.