"city of Odysseus"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Odessa
Pronunciation: [ ohd-EHS-uh ]
Does Odessa flow with your last name?
A name for epic journeys and timeless stories
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"angry, wrathful"
Origin: Greek etymology
Language: Greek
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The Story of Odessa
Odessa is the feminine form of Odysseus — the legendary Greek hero of Homer's Odyssey whose name means 'long journey' or 'to be wrathful against.' The city of Odessa in Ukraine was named by Catherine the Great in 1795 to honor the region's Greek colonial past, specifically the ancient Greek colony of Odessos. The city's fame as a cultural and commercial center in the 19th century helped establish Odessa as a given name across multiple cultures.
Odessa has experienced a quiet but steady revival as parents rediscover Victorian-era names with classical roots. It fits perfectly into the trend for names with rich history and literary associations — the Odyssey is one of the foundational texts of Western literature, and Odessa carries all that depth in three musical syllables.
The city of Odessa, Ukraine (now spelled Odesa) was one of the great cities of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, famous for its opera house, staircases, and cultural vibrancy. The film The Battleship Potemkin immortalized its famous steps. The name therefore carries both Greek mythological heritage and Slavic cultural resonance.
Historical Record
Odessa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,134 babies have been named Odessa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Odessa is past its peak , currently ranked #1,586 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Homer's Odyssey, from which this name derives, is considered one of the oldest works of Western literature at nearly 3,000 years old
- The Odessa Steps sequence in Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin (1925) is one of cinema's most famous scenes
Odessa in Other Languages
Greek
Odysseia
Russian
Odessa
Spanish
Odesa
Ukrainian
Odesa
Popularity Over Time
#1,586
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Odessa
O
Odessa (Ukraine)
Other
Major Ukrainian port city on the Black Sea, one of the great cultural capitals of Eastern Europe
O
Odysseus Fictional
Other
Hero of Homer's Odyssey, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca whose epic journey home from Troy took 10 years
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,586
- Total SSA Count
- 133
- Cultural Origins
- American English Eastern European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Dessie
Desi
Odie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Odessa
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Odessa is also used as a boy name, ranked #20010.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Odessa
What does the name Odessa mean?
"city of Odysseus" (from Greek). "angry, wrathful" (from Greek etymology). Odessa is the feminine form of Odysseus — the legendary Greek hero of Homer's Odyssey whose name means 'long journey' or 'to be wrathful against.' The city of Odessa in Ukraine was named by Catherine the Great in 1795 to honor the region's Greek colonial past, specifically the ancient Greek colony of Odessos. The city's fame as a cultural and commercial center in the 19th century helped establish Odessa as a given name across multiple cultures.
What is the origin of the name Odessa?
Odessa has Greek, Greek etymology, American, English, and Eastern European origins. In Greek, it means "city of Odysseus". In Greek etymology, it means "angry, wrathful".
Is Odessa a boy or girl name?
Odessa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1586. As a boy name, it is ranked #20010. Odessa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Odessa?
Odessa is pronounced ohd-EHS-uh.
How popular is the name Odessa?
Odessa is currently ranked #1586 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Odessa?
Common nicknames for Odessa include Dessie, Desi, and Odie.
What are good middle names for Odessa?
Popular middle name pairings include Odessa Rose, Odessa Grace, Odessa Mae, Odessa Claire, Odessa June, and Odessa Elise.
What are good sibling names for Odessa?
Names that pair well with Odessa as siblings include Penelope, Calliope, Cassius, Leander, Persephone, and Atticus.
How many syllables does Odessa have?
Odessa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Odessa a common or rare name?
Odessa is an uncommon name, ranked #1586 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Odessa
Odessa is a girl name with American, English, and Eastern European origins . The name means "city of Odysseus" in Greek .
Is Odessa a boy or girl name? Odessa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,586 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,010. Odessa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Odessa is currently ranked #1,586 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Odessa has 3 syllables and is pronounced ohd-EHS-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Odessa include Dessie, Desi, and Odie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis