obory

Obory is a place name used for several villages and settlements in Poland. The name derives from the Polish noun obora, meaning a barn or cattle shed, with obory being the plural form. As a toponym, obory likely originated as a descriptor for a locality situated near farmyards, barns, or other agricultural enclosures, and later became established as a proper name for communities.

There are multiple distinct localities named Obory across various regions of Poland. Each Obory is a separate village or settlement that belongs to its own gmina (municipal district) and voivodeship. Because several places share the same name, it is common to specify the corresponding administrative units (for example, the gmina or voivodeship) when referring to a particular Obory.

In practical terms, Obory villages are typically small rural communities with agricultural surroundings. Like many toponyms formed from agricultural terms, the name persists in official records, maps, and local signage, often without implying any direct connection between the different Obory locations beyond the common etymology.

See also: obora, the singular form of the word in Polish, which refers to a barn or cattle shed, and is related in origin to the place-name use of Obory.