Oda

Oda is a Japanese surname and, less commonly, a given name. It is most often written with the kanji 織田, a combination interpreted as “weave” and “field.” This form is historically associated with the Oda clan, a powerful samurai lineage during the Sengoku period. Other spellings found in Japan, such as 小田 and 尾田, reflect different family lineages or regional readings and can carry distinct local meanings.

Historically, the most famous bearer of the surname is Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582), a prominent daimyo who played a key role in the unification of Japan in the late Sengoku era. The Oda name appeared across various branches of samurai households and later continued to be common among people of Japanese descent.

In contemporary usage, Oda remains a common surname in Japan and among Japanese communities abroad. Outside of personal names, ODA is an acronym used in international development contexts to denote Official Development Assistance, referring to government aid aimed at promoting economic development and welfare. The term is widely used by policymakers, researchers, and international organizations when describing aid flows.