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Odessa

♀ Girl

Pronounced oh-DESS-uh /oʊ.ˈdɛs.ə/Medium

Meaning: Taken from the Black Sea city of Odessa, named after the ancient Greek colony Odessos and associated with the hero Odysseus; the original Greek place-name is of uncertain meaning.Medium

In 30 seconds: Odessa takes its name from the Black Sea city, itself named after the ancient Greek colony Odessos and tied to the hero Odysseus. The original Greek place-name's meaning is uncertain.

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningTaken from the Black Sea city of Odessa, named after the ancient Greek colony Odessos and associated with the hero Odysseus; the original Greek place-name is of uncertain meaning.

U.S. rank (2025)#1197 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births193 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1920

Total births (all-time)≈ 18,565

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

Odessa comes from a place rather than a word: the Black Sea city, named in turn for the old Greek colony Odessos and linked in legend to Odysseus. The meaning of that original Greek place-name is genuinely uncertain, so the name carries geography and association more than a settled definition. Used as a given name, it brings a touch of Greek and Eastern European resonance.

Its three flowing syllables and soft ending give it a romantic, grand feel suited to its city origin. The listed variation Ulyssa plays on the same Odysseus connection from the other direction.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Odessa is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 70%

Behind the Name - Odessa — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

Ulyssa

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Odessa Young (1998-)
Australian actress known for The Daughter and Shirley

If you like Odessa…

Penelope— a Greek name tied to the Odysseus story behind Odessa

Cassandra— another grand Greek girls' name of comparable classical weight

Theresa— shares Odessa's Greek roots

Elissa— shares Odessa's Greek roots

Alissa— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Odessa

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Odessa mean?

Odessa is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Various tradition.

How do you pronounce Odessa?

It's commonly said oh-DESS-uh /oʊ.ˈdɛs.ə/.

Is Odessa a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Odessa is used as a girl name.

How popular is Odessa?

In 2024, Odessa ranked #1583 in the U.S. for girls, with 133 births recorded.