A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Odessa since 1880
Babies named Odessa per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Odessa's real moment was 1910.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 204 |
| 1890s | 508 |
| 1900s | 1,183 |
| 1910s | 3,085 |
| 1920s | 4,114 |
| 1930s | 2,436 |
| 1940s | 1,708 |
| 1950s | 1,167 |
| 1960s | 683 |
| 1970s | 505 |
| 1980s | 439 |
| 1990s | 447 |
| 2000s | 544 |
| 2010s | 734 |
| 2020s | 807 |
Meaning & origin
Odessa peaked in popularity during the 1910s, ranking highest in 1910. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1993, reflecting the revival of vintage names. In its peak decade, the name was especially favored in Idaho, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Today, it remains rare but steadily climbing, with a current rank of 1,192 and an incidence of 1 in 8,328 newborns in 2025. Its connection to an ancient Greek settlement and the literary Odyssey lends it a classical yet modern feel.
Odessa is most commonly associated with the Ukrainian port city Odessa, but the city itself was named after the ancient Greek colony of Odessos. The name may also be considered a feminine form of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's Odyssey. It came into use as a given name in the late 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Odessa is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Odessa” around the world
Where Odessa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Odessa
Names that share Odessa's style, for a brother or sister.
