Find out how popular the first name Fedra has been for the last 34 years (from 1987 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Fedra by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Fedra is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Fedra.

The history of the first name Fedra

The name Fedra has its origins in ancient Greek mythology and literature. It is derived from the Greek word "phaedra," which means "bright" or "radiant." The name was first associated with Phaedra, the daughter of Minos, the legendary king of Crete, and his wife Pasiphae.

In Greek mythology, Phaedra was the wife of Theseus, the hero who slew the Minotaur. She fell in love with her stepson Hippolytus and, when he rejected her advances, she falsely accused him of trying to seduce her. This tragic story was the subject of several ancient Greek tragedies, including Euripides' "Hippolytus" and Seneca's "Phaedra."

The name Fedra gained popularity in Renaissance Europe, particularly in Italy, where it was spelled "Fedra" or "Federa." One of the earliest recorded examples of the name was Fedra Inghirami (c. 1470-1516), an Italian noblewoman and poet. In the 16th century, the name was used by the Spanish playwright Lope de Vega for the character Fedra in his play "El Caballero de Olmedo."

In the 17th century, the French playwright Jean Racine wrote the famous tragedy "Phèdre," which revived interest in the name. The play's protagonist, Phèdre, was based on the mythological Phaedra and her tragic love for her stepson Hippolytus.

Other notable individuals named Fedra include Fedra Barbieri (1920-2003), an Italian actress known for her roles in several Neorealist films, and Fedra Lucini (born 1970), an Italian ballet dancer and choreographer.

The name Fedra has also been used in literature and art throughout history. In the 19th century, the English poet Algernon Charles Swinburne wrote a poem titled "Phaedra" that explored the mythological story. The name has also inspired numerous paintings, sculptures, and other works of art depicting the tragic figure of Phaedra.

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 Fedra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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