Find out how popular the first name Diomedes has been for the last 19 years (from 1979 to 1997) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Diomedes by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Diomedes is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1997, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Diomedes.

The history of the first name Diomedes

The name Diomedes has its origins in ancient Greek mythology and culture. It is derived from the Greek words "dios" meaning divine and "medos" meaning counsel or plan, essentially translating to "divine counsel" or "counselled by Zeus".

This name was borne by Diomedes, a legendary Greek warrior who fought in the Trojan War as recounted in Homer's Iliad. He was known for wounding both Aphrodite and Ares, the gods of love and war, during the conflict. His bravery and valor in battle earned him great renown in Greek legend.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Diomedes date back to ancient Greece, where it was a relatively common name among the nobility and warrior class. It continued to be used throughout the classical era and into the Byzantine period, though its popularity waned after the rise of Christianity.

One of the most notable historical figures named Diomedes was Diomedes Grammaticus, a 4th century AD grammarian and scholar from Alexandria. His works on grammar and syntax were highly influential in the Byzantine world.

Another famous bearer of the name was Diomedes Carafa (1619-1689), an Italian Catholic cardinal and Archbishop of Naples. He played a significant role in the affairs of the Catholic Church during the 17th century.

In the realm of literature, the name appears in the works of renowned authors such as William Shakespeare, who featured a character named Diomedes in his play "Troilus and Cressida", based on the Trojan War legend.

A more recent historical figure with the name Diomedes was Diomedes Komnenos (1070-1092), a Byzantine prince and military leader who played a role in the Komnenian restoration of the Byzantine Empire in the late 11th century.

While not as common today, the name Diomedes has endured through the ages, carrying with it the legacy of its ancient Greek origins and the legendary warrior who first bore it.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Diomedes was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Diomedes, please contact us.

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