Find out how popular the first name Medea has been for the last 35 years (from 1974 to 2008) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Medea by gender

Based on the last 35 years of data, Medea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2008, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Medea.

The history of the first name Medea

The name Medea originates from ancient Greek mythology and literature. It is believed to be derived from the Greek verb "medein," which means "to plan" or "to contrive." The name is associated with the powerful and complex character Medea, who appears in several ancient Greek texts, most notably Euripides' tragic play "Medea."

Medea was a princess of Colchis, a region located in present-day Georgia. In Greek mythology, she fell in love with Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, and helped him obtain the Golden Fleece. After betraying her father and leaving her homeland, Medea married Jason and had two children with him. However, their relationship was marked by turmoil and betrayal, culminating in Medea's act of vengeance against Jason by killing their children.

The name Medea first appeared in ancient Greek literature, such as the epic poem "Argonautica" by Apollonius of Rhodes, written around the 3rd century BCE. The character of Medea also featured prominently in Euripides' famous tragedy, which was likely written in 431 BCE and explores themes of love, betrayal, and revenge.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Medea. One of the earliest recorded examples is Medea of Caria, a princess who lived in the 5th century BCE and married Idrieus, the ruler of Caria, an ancient region in modern-day Turkey.

In the 16th century, Medea de Valois (1545-1557) was a French princess who was briefly engaged to Don Carlos, the son of King Philip II of Spain. Another famous Medea was Medea Ventura (1555-1610), an Italian composer and music theorist who made significant contributions to the development of early Baroque music.

In more recent times, Medea Electronique (1920-2008) was a Romanian artist and sculptor known for her abstract and surrealist works. Additionally, Medea Norsa (1937-2008) was an Italian writer and journalist who authored several novels and short stories.

The name Medea continues to resonate through its literary and historical significance, evoking themes of power, passion, and the complexities of human nature.

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

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

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