"long journey, epic voyage"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Odyssey
Pronunciation: [ AHD-uhs-ee ]
Does Odyssey flow with your last name?
Named for the greatest epic journey ever told
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Literary
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Meaning & Origin
"adventure, wandering"
Origin: Greek via English
Language: English
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The Story of Odyssey
Odyssey derives from the ancient Greek Odysseia, the title of Homer's epic poem about Odysseus (Ulysses in Latin) and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem was composed around the 8th century BCE and became one of the foundational texts of Western literature. Today odyssey is used as a common English word meaning any long, adventurous journey, and as a given name it carries that same sense of epic adventure.
Odyssey as a given name began gaining traction in the early 21st century as parents sought epic, literary, and adventure-themed names. It sits alongside names like Journey, Atlas, and Lyric as part of a broader trend toward word-names with grand, aspirational meanings.
The Odyssey is one of the most studied works in Western literary history, representing themes of perseverance, homecoming, and the human capacity to overcome obstacles. Naming a child Odyssey carries an implicit hope that they will be resilient and capable of navigating life's challenges.
Historical Record
Odyssey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1982.
Over 706 babies have been named Odyssey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Odyssey is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,405 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Homer's Odyssey is approximately 12,000 lines long and has been translated into hundreds of languages
- NASA named its Apollo 13 Command Module Odyssey
- The Honda Odyssey minivan, launched in 1994, is one of the most famous non-literary uses of the word
Odyssey in Other Languages
Greek
Ὀδύσσεια
Latin
Odyssea
French
Odyssée
Italian
Odissea
Spanish
Odisea
Popularity Over Time
#5,405
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Odyssey
H
Homer
Writer
Ancient Greek poet credited with composing The Iliad and The Odyssey, two foundational works of Western literature
O
Odysseus Fictional
Other
The cunning hero of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, who spent ten years trying to return home after the Trojan War
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,405
- Total SSA Count
- 24
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Odie
Ody
Dessa
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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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Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Odyssey
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Odyssey is also used as a boy name, ranked #11030.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Odyssey
What does the name Odyssey mean?
"long journey, epic voyage" (from Greek). "adventure, wandering" (from Greek via English). Odyssey derives from the ancient Greek Odysseia, the title of Homer's epic poem about Odysseus (Ulysses in Latin) and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem was composed around the 8th century BCE and became one of the foundational texts of Western literature. Today odyssey is used as a common English word meaning any long, adventurous journey, and as a given name it carries that same sense of epic adventure.
What is the origin of the name Odyssey?
Odyssey has Greek, Greek via English, American, and English origins. In Greek, it means "long journey, epic voyage". In Greek via English, it means "adventure, wandering".
Is Odyssey a boy or girl name?
Odyssey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5405. As a boy name, it is ranked #11030. Odyssey is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Odyssey?
Odyssey is pronounced AHD-uhs-ee.
How popular is the name Odyssey?
Odyssey is currently ranked #5405 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Odyssey?
Common nicknames for Odyssey include Odie, Ody, and Dessa.
What are good middle names for Odyssey?
Popular middle name pairings include Odyssey Rose, Odyssey Mae, Odyssey June, Odyssey Claire, Odyssey Pearl, Odyssey Sage, and Odyssey Lane.
What are good sibling names for Odyssey?
Names that pair well with Odyssey as siblings include Atlas, Journey, Phoenix, Lyric, Zephyr, and Soleil.
How many syllables does Odyssey have?
Odyssey has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Odyssey a common or rare name?
Odyssey is an uncommon name, ranked #5405 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Odyssey
Odyssey is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "long journey, epic voyage" in Greek .
Is Odyssey a boy or girl name? Odyssey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,405 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #11,030. Odyssey is more commonly used as a girl name.
Odyssey is currently ranked #5,405 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Odyssey has 3 syllables and is pronounced AHD-uhs-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Odyssey include Odie, Ody, and Dessa. 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