Medea

♀ Girl

Pronounced muh-DEE-uh /məˈdi.ə/Medium

Meaning: From the Greek Medeia, 'cunning; to plan/scheme' (from medomai, 'to plan/be mindful'); the powerful sorceress who helped Jason win the Golden Fleece; we note the mythLow

In 30 seconds: Cunning; to plan/scheme: Medea is a Greek sorceress of myth. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'muh-DEE-uh'). We note the myth.

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Origin LowGreek

MeaningFrom the Greek Medeia, 'cunning; to plan/scheme' (from medomai, 'to plan/be mindful'); the powerful sorceress who helped Jason win the Golden Fleece; we note the myth

U.S. rank (2008)#14862 ↗ Rising

2008 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1975

Total births (all-time)≈ 202

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Medea comes from the Greek Medeia, 'cunning; to plan/scheme' (from medomai, 'to plan/be mindful'); the powerful sorceress who helped Jason win the Golden Fleece (we note the myth). A lyrical, classic name (said 'muh-DEE-uh').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely as a mythology name (a great figure of Greek tragedy). Rare, cunning at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Medea is 'cunning; to plan/scheme' in Greek (from medomai) — the powerful sorceress who helped Jason win the Golden Fleece — a lyrical, storied name (we note the myth; said 'muh-DEE-uh').

Overall data confidence 48%

References — Medea — Greek mythology

Variations

MedeiaMedee

Nicknames

Mede

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Medea…

Circe— a fellow Greek sorceress

Jason— the hero she aided

Ariadne— a kin Greek princess-figure

Anthea— a fellow Greek choice

Aglaea— the same mythology feel

Explore names like Medea

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Medea mean?

Medea is Greek for 'cunning; to plan/scheme' (from medomai); the sorceress who aided Jason. We note the myth.

How do you pronounce Medea?

It's said muh-DEE-uh /məˈdi.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Medea a boy or girl name?

Medea is a girl's name.

How popular is Medea?

Medea is a very rare name in the U.S.