Abdi

Abdi is a given name and surname of Somali origin. It is derived from the Arabic root abd, meaning “servant,” and in Somali naming practice it is commonly used as the first element in theophoric names that indicate servitude to the divine. As a standalone given name, Abdi is common among Somali people and has spread through the diaspora to Europe, North America, and the wider region.

Abdi is used both as a first name and, less commonly, as a surname. It appears in several compound Somali names such as Abdiwali, Abdirahman, and Abdiqani, where it functions as a component expressing servitude in the overall meaning of the name. The spelling Abdi is typically stable, though transliteration into other languages can produce variants.

The name is predominantly associated with Muslim communities due to its religious origin, but it is used irrespective of religious practice in Somali families. In contemporary usage, Abdi is recognized as a culturally significant element in Somali identity and has become familiar in international contexts through migration and media.