Odysseus

At a Glance

Meaning

Traditionally linked to a Greek word for 'wrath/hatred' via Homer's own wordplay in the Odyssey — the name's true origin is uncertain, possibly pre-Greek

Origin

Ancient Greek (mythological, etymology disputed)

Gender

Primarily used for boys

Pronunciation

oh-DISS-ee-usListen

Odysseus is the Ancient Greek name of the hero at the center of Homer's Odyssey, pronounced oh-DISS-ee-us. You may see it said to mean "traveler," but that's a modern backformation from the word 'odyssey,' which itself means 'the story of Odysseus,' not the other way around. Homer played on a Greek word for 'wrath' or 'hatred' when explaining the name, though its true origin is uncertain and may be pre-Greek.

Meaning & Origin of Odysseus

Meaning: Traditionally linked to a Greek word for 'wrath/hatred' via Homer's own wordplay in the Odyssey — the name's true origin is uncertain, possibly pre-Greek.

Origin: Ancient Greek (mythological, etymology disputed).

A common claim: wrathful or traveler Actually: 'Traveler' is an unsupported modern backformation from 'odyssey' (which means 'the story of Odysseus,' not the reverse); 'wrathful' has some ancient support from Homer's wordplay, but the true origin is uncertain.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Odysseus

Popularity of Odysseus

Odysseus is a rare name in the U.S.: it ranked #3131 in 2024, with 39 babies given the name. Its highest rank in the 1999-2024 data came in 2020, at #2828 with 43 babies.

Names Like Odysseus

These names have followed a similar path to Odysseus in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Oaklan
• Omri
• Juni
• Nessiah
• Muaz
• Prynce

FAQ

What does the name Odysseus mean?

Traditionally linked to a Greek word for ‘wrath/hatred’ via Homer’s own wordplay in the Odyssey — the name’s true origin is uncertain, possibly pre-Greek. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Odysseus?

Odysseus is pronounced oh-DISS-ee-us (IPA: /oʊˈdɪsiəs/).

Is Odysseus a popular name right now?

Odysseus is near its all-time peak (#2828 in 2020), ranked #3131 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1999–2024.)

Make Odysseus Name Art

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