Faídra

Girl Name
Origin:greek
Pronunciation:/ˈfaɪ.dɹə/

Faídra: a female name of Greek origin meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny". It derives from the Greek word "Phaidrós > Phaídra".

Faídra has maintained its appeal as a feminine name in modern times while preserving its Greek roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.

Quick Facts About Faídra

Quick facts about Faídra
OriginGreek
GenderGirl name
PopularityUncommon

Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team

Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.

Last reviewed: November 2025

Meaning

This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny.” In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus, sister of Ariadne, and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas. In one version, Phaedra’s nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information. In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus raped her. Theseus believed her and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three courses he had received from Poseidon.

Etymology & Details

Name Root

Phaidrós > Phaídra

Other Scripts

Greek (Φαίδρα)

How to Pronounce Faídra

Faídra is pronounced /ˈfaɪ.dɹə/(Greek)

Step-by-step pronunciation guide:

  1. Break it into syllables: Faí-dra
  2. Say it like: "FAÍ-DRA"
  3. Practice saying it naturally a few times

Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources

Usage & Popularity

Faídra is predominantly used in greek speaking communities, where it maintains strong cultural connections and traditional significance.

greek
Frequently Asked Questions About Faídra
What does the name Faídra mean?
Faídra means "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny.” In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus, sister of Ariadne, and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas. In one version, Phaedra’s nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information. In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus raped her. Theseus believed her and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three courses he had received from Poseidon.". The name comes from Phaidrós > Phaídra. In its original form, the name derives from Phaidrós (φαιδρός) Phaídra (Φαίδρα). This greek name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Faídra for girls often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny.” In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus, sister of Ariadne, and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas. In one version, Phaedra’s nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information. In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus raped her. Theseus believed her and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three courses he had received from Poseidon." as a quality they hope to see in their child. Faídra offers a distinctive option for parents who want a name with clear meaning that stands apart from more common choices. The name is associated with qualities like GREEK MYTHOLOGY (DEIFIED MORTALS), reflecting its meaning in how people perceive those who carry it.
What is the origin of the name Faídra?
Faídra is a greek name. The name traces back to Phaidrós > Phaídra. The original form Phaidrós (φαιδρός) Phaídra (Φαίδρα) shows the name's roots in its native language. In its native script, Faídra is written as Greek (Φαίδρα). The name remains closely tied to greek naming traditions while occasionally appearing in other cultures. The greek meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny.” In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus, sister of Ariadne, and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas. In one version, Phaedra’s nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information. In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus raped her. Theseus believed her and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three courses he had received from Poseidon." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Faídra a boy or girl name?
Faídra is a girl's name. This traditionally feminine name has been chosen by parents for daughters across many cultures and time periods. In greek tradition, Faídra has historically been given to girls. The meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny.” In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus, sister of Ariadne, and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas. In one version, Phaedra’s nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information. In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus raped her. Theseus believed her and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three courses he had received from Poseidon." carries well for a daughter, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Faídra?
Faídra is pronounced "/ˈfaɪ.dɹə/". This pronunciation follows el language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Greek (Φαίδρα), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Faídra is quick to say and easy to call out. If you're unfamiliar with greek names, listening to a native speaker say Faídra can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root Phaidrós > Phaídra influences how Faídra sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Faídra?
Faídra is less common but not rare. As a less common choice, Faídra gives a child a name that stands out. Most people will encounter it rarely, making it memorable when they do. Faídra's popularity may vary between greek communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny.” In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus, sister of Ariadne, and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas. In one version, Phaedra’s nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information. In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus raped her. Theseus believed her and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three courses he had received from Poseidon." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among girls' names, Faídra holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Faídra commonly used?
Faídra is used primarily in greek naming traditions. The name originated in greek culture and spread as people migrated and cultures exchanged ideas. The meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny.” In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus, sister of Ariadne, and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas. In one version, Phaedra’s nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information. In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus raped her. Theseus believed her and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three courses he had received from Poseidon." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Faídra into their naming traditions. A child named Faídra will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Faídra is given to girls, maintaining consistent gender association.
What is the cultural significance of Faídra?
Faídra carries associations with GREEK MYTHOLOGY (DEIFIED MORTALS). These qualities shape how people perceive the name and those who carry it, creating expectations and first impressions. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “phaidrós (φαιδρός) phaídra (φαίδρα),” meaning “brilliant, shiny.” In Greek mythology, Phaedra is the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus, sister of Ariadne, and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas. In one version, Phaedra’s nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information. In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus raped her. Theseus believed her and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three courses he had received from Poseidon." reinforces these associations, connecting the literal translation to the character traits people expect. In greek culture, where Faídra originates, these qualities held particular value, making the name a way to express hopes for a child's character. Research shows that names do influence perceptions. People form impressions based on names before meeting someone, which means choosing Faídra sets certain expectations. Parents choosing Faídra often connect with one or more of these associations, selecting the name because it represents qualities they value or wish for their child. In greek communities, these associations may carry extra weight, as naming traditions often reinforce cultural values.

Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.

Similar Names

Explore More Names