Oved

Oved is a Hebrew masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname. It derives from the Hebrew root avod, meaning to work or serve. The present participle form, avod/oved, literally means “worker” or “one who works,” and in modern Hebrew the noun denotes a laborer or employee. As a given name, Oved may symbolize diligence and industriousness and is used primarily among Israeli and Jewish communities.

As a surname, Oved appears less frequently but is found in families of Jewish origin. In this usage, the name is typically a direct adoption of the given-name form, reflecting the common practice of turning personal names into family names.

Variations and transliterations include Oved and Ovid in some contexts, depending on language and orthography. The related biblical name Ovadia (Obadiah) is etymologically connected to the same root but is distinct in usage and form.

In onomastic references, Oved is recognized as a standard male name in Hebrew-speaking contexts and may occur among diaspora communities with varying spellings. The name’s meaning and simple pronunciation contribute to its enduring use in Israeli and Jewish naming traditions.