Odessa

At a Glance

Origin

Greek place name (of uncertain/pre-Greek origin)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

oh-DESS-ahListen

Odessa is a girl's name traced to a Greek place name, though its exact meaning is uncertain — even scholars trace it only to a pre-Greek root. You may see a claim that it comes from a Greek word for 'to be angry,' but that's not accurate: the similar-sounding Greek word ὀδούς (odous) actually means 'tooth,' and the true origin of the placename Odessa/Odessos remains unknown. It's pronounced oh-DESS-ah.

Meaning & Origin of Odessa

Origin: Greek place name (of uncertain/pre-Greek origin).

A common claim: sometimes said to derive from a Greek word meaning 'to be angry/furious' Actually: Not accurate — the Greek word ὀδούς (odous) actually means 'tooth', not 'anger'; the real origin of the placename Odessa/Odessos is unknown, not a genuine 'anger' etymology.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Odessa

Popularity of Odessa

Odessa peaked at #278 in 1908 with 162 babies given the name, and by 2024 it had fallen to #1583 with just 133, based on U.S. birth records spanning 1880 to 2024.

Names Like Odessa

These names share Odessa’s style, era or origin.

• Agnes
• Althea
• Amaryllis
• Anastasiya
• Antigone
• Calista

FAQ

What does the name Odessa mean?

sometimes said to derive from a Greek word meaning ‘to be angry/furious’ Not accurate — the Greek word ὀδούς (odous) actually means ‘tooth’, not ‘anger’; the real origin of the placename Odessa/Odessos is unknown, not a genuine ‘anger’ etymology.

How do you pronounce Odessa?

Odessa is pronounced oh-DESS-ah (IPA: /oʊˈdɛsə/).

Is Odessa a popular name right now?

Odessa peaked at #278 in 1908 and is ranked #1583 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Odessa Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Odessa, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.