Phaedra

The first name Phaedra has its roots in ancient Greek and carries the meanings 'the shining one', 'the radiant one', and 'the bright one'. It derives from the ancient Greek word phaidrós (φαιδρός).

What does the name Phaedra mean?

The female first name Phaedra is of ancient Greek origin and translates into English as 'the shining one', 'the radiant one', and 'the bright one'. The name originates from the ancient Greek expression phaidrós (φαιδρός) or phaídra (φαίδρα), meaning 'bright' or 'shining'. In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of King Minos and Queen Pasiphaë, as well as the sister of Ariadne. She married the hero Theseus and fell in love with her stepson Hippolytos. When he rejected her affection, she took her own life. However, before her death, she wrote a letter out of revenge against Theseus, falsely claiming that Hippolytos had raped her. Theseus believed her accusation and cursed Hippolytos with one of three curses given to him by the sea god Poseidon. The tragic story of Phaedra's love and guilt has inspired numerous dramatists from antiquity to modern times. Variants of the name include Phaidra and Pheadra.

Where does the name Phaedra come from?

The etymology of Phaedra is ancient Greek, reflected in meanings such as 'the radiant one' or 'the bright one'. The name is composed of the ancient Greek terms phaidrós and phaídra, which stand for 'bright' or 'shining'. It was also adopted into the Latin language.

How do you pronounce Phaedra?

The pronunciation of Phaedra is two syllables and has a distinctive sound. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'Fay-dra' [ˈfeːdʁa]. It begins with a clear, elongated sound that immediately catches the ear. The following consonant combination gives the name a certain tension. The final 'a' opens the sound and provides a harmonious conclusion. Overall, Phaedra conveys an elegant and expressive impression - clear, slightly tense, and with a special tonal quality.

Popularity

In Germany, Phaedra is a rather rare first name. In 2022, it ranked 5,539th on the list of the most common female first names. Its best ranking was in 2017 at 2,741st. In the last ten years, Phaedra has been given as a first name about 30 times, placing it 5,353rd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 6,444th.

Nicknames & pet names

Fedi / Garti / Idri / Phaedy / Phay / Phey

Similar first names

Phaidra

Famous people

• Phaedra Creonta Parks (American TV personality)
• Phaedra Nicolaidis (Norwegian actress)