"wrathful, to cause pain"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
Odysseus
Pronunciation: [ ohd-IHS-ee-uhs ]
Does Odysseus flow with your last name?
Homer's greatest hero — a name that carries an epic
Greek
Classical
English
Literary
Bold
Classic
Strong
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Odysseus
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Odysseus
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"child of Zeus (folk etymology)"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Odysseus
See all →What the Odysseus report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Odysseus the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Odysseus
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Odysseus head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Odysseus actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Odysseus
Odysseus is the ancient Greek hero of Homer's Odyssey, one of the two founding works of Western literature. His name is thought to derive from the Greek odyssomai meaning to be wrathful or to cause pain — possibly referring to his reputation as a cunning troublemaker to the gods. The Romans renamed him Ulysses. He is the archetype of the clever, enduring hero who triumphs through wit rather than brute strength.
Odysseus has seen a surge of interest as mythology-inspired names have surged. The success of names like Atlas, Orion, and Achilles has opened the door for more elaborate mythological names. Parents choosing Odysseus are making a clear literary statement — this is not a subtle name.
Odysseus represents the complete Greek ideal of heroism: not just strength but cleverness, resilience, and cunning. His 10-year journey home after the Trojan War is the foundational adventure narrative of Western civilization. James Joyce's 1922 novel Ulysses retells the Odyssey in a single Dublin day, cementing its modern literary status.
Historical Record
Odysseus first appeared in US Social Security records in 1999.
Over 482 babies have been named Odysseus in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Odysseus is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,134 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Odysseus is mentioned more than any other character in Western literature, from Homer to Joyce
- The Odyssey is approximately 2,800 years old and still studied in schools worldwide
- The word odyssey (meaning a long journey) entered English directly from his name
Odysseus in Other Languages
Greek
Ὀδυσσεύς
Latin
Ulysses
French
Ulysse
Italian
Odisseo
Spanish
Ulises
Popularity Over Time
#3,134
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Odysseus
O
Odysseas Elytis
Writer
1911
Greek poet who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979
O
Odysseus Fictional
Other
Hero of Homer's Odyssey, king of Ithaca, known for his cunning and ten-year voyage home from Troy
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #3,134
- Total SSA Count
- 39
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Classical English
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Ody
Dys
Odi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Odysseus
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Odysseus fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Odysseus →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Odysseus with...
Same Origin Names (Greek)
See all Greek names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Odysseus
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Odysseus and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Odysseus sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Timber
Boy
Proto-Germanic origin
"building material, beam"
#3,268 in US
Brix
Boy
Celtic/Gaulish origin
"speckled, or from the bridge settlement"
#2,937 in US
Witten
Boy
Old English origin
"from the white settlement"
#3,043 in US
Kol
Boy
Old English/Norse origin
"dark, coal-black"
#3,334 in US
Rooney
Boy
Gaelic origin
"red, ruddy"
#3,084 in US
Dewayne
Boy
Old English origin
"wagon driver, cart maker (from Old En..."
#3,141 in US
Bearett
Boy
Old English/Old German origin
"brave as a bear, bear strength"
#3,326 in US
Loukas
Boy
Latin origin
"man from Lucania (southern Italy)"
#3,135 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Odysseus's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Odysseus
What does the name Odysseus mean?
"wrathful, to cause pain" (from Ancient Greek). "child of Zeus (folk etymology)" (from Greek). Odysseus is the ancient Greek hero of Homer's Odyssey, one of the two founding works of Western literature. His name is thought to derive from the Greek odyssomai meaning to be wrathful or to cause pain — possibly referring to his reputation as a cunning troublemaker to the gods. The Romans renamed him Ulysses. He is the archetype of the clever, enduring hero who triumphs through wit rather than brute strength.
What is the origin of the name Odysseus?
Odysseus has Ancient Greek, Greek, Classical, and English origins. In Ancient Greek, it means "wrathful, to cause pain". In Greek, it means "child of Zeus (folk etymology)".
Is Odysseus a boy or girl name?
Odysseus is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Odysseus?
Odysseus is pronounced ohd-IHS-ee-uhs.
How popular is the name Odysseus?
Odysseus is currently ranked #3134 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Odysseus?
Common nicknames for Odysseus include Ody, Dys, and Odi.
What are good middle names for Odysseus?
Popular middle name pairings include Odysseus James, Odysseus Rex, Odysseus Cole, Odysseus Maximus, Odysseus Soren, and Odysseus Orion.
What are good sibling names for Odysseus?
Names that pair well with Odysseus as siblings include Achilles, Perseus, Penelope, Cassandra, Ajax, and Daphne.
How many syllables does Odysseus have?
Odysseus has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Odysseus a common or rare name?
Odysseus is an uncommon name, ranked #3134 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Odysseus
Odysseus is a boy name with Greek, Classical, and English origins . The name means "wrathful, to cause pain" in Ancient Greek .
Odysseus is currently ranked #3,134 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Odysseus has 4 syllables and is pronounced ohd-IHS-ee-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Odysseus include Ody, Dys, and Odi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Ancient Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
O
Names Starting with O
More boy names like Odysseus
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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