Oedipus Name Meaning & Details
Origin, Popularity, Numerology Analysis & Name Meaning of Oedipus
Discover the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the name OEDIPUS. Delve into its historical roots and explore the lasting impact it has had on communities and traditions.
Name
Oedipus
Gender
Male
Origin
Greek
Lucky Number
8
Meaning of the Name
The name Oedipus means 'swollen foot' in Greek, referring to the injury the mythological figure sustained as an infant. This physical characteristic became symbolic of his entire tragic destiny and the wounds that shaped his life's path.
Complete Numerology Analysis
Your Numerology Number
Based on Pythagorean Numerology System
Ruling Planet
Saturn
Positive Nature
Ambitious, efficient, realistic, and authoritative.
Negative Traits
Materialistic, stressed, confrontational, and can be overly ambitious.
Lucky Colours
Dark blue, black.
Lucky Days
Saturday.
Lucky Stones
Blue sapphire, amethyst.
Harmony Numbers
2, 4, 6.
Best Suited Professions
Business leaders, managers, financial services, law enforcement.
What People Like About You
Leadership, determination, organizational skills.
Famous People Named Oedipus
Oedipus
Mythological King of Thebes
Solved the riddle of the Sphinx and became king
Oedipus (Literary Character)
Tragic Hero
Protagonist of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex
Oedipus (Psychological Concept)
Psychological Archetype
Central figure in Freud's Oedipus complex theory
Name Variations & International Equivalents
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Cultural & Historical Significance
The name's cultural impact expanded dramatically in the 20th century through Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory of the Oedipus complex, which reinterpreted the ancient myth as representing universal childhood psychosexual development. This psychological framework transformed Oedipus from a purely literary figure into a scientific and cultural concept that influenced psychology, anthropology, and popular culture. The name now carries dual significance: representing both ancient Greek tragedy and modern psychological theory, making it unique in its cross-disciplinary cultural weight.
Extended Personality Analysis
Individuals named Oedipus are often perceived as intellectually brilliant but tragically flawed, carrying the weight of their namesake's complex legacy. They tend to be highly intelligent problem-solvers with strong analytical abilities—traits reflected in the mythological Oedipus who solved the Sphinx's riddle. However, this intellectual prowess often comes with a tendency toward obsessive investigation and a drive to uncover hidden truths, even when such knowledge might prove destructive. Their personality is marked by a paradoxical combination of wisdom and blindness to their own circumstances.
There's often an undercurrent of destiny and fate associated with the name, suggesting individuals who feel bound by circumstances beyond their control yet fiercely determined to assert their own agency. They may exhibit strong leadership qualities but struggle with self-awareness regarding their own motivations and the consequences of their actions. The name carries an inherent tension between public success and private tragedy, between intellectual mastery and emotional vulnerability—creating a personality profile of profound complexity and dramatic depth.
Modern Usage & Popularity
In contemporary times, the name Oedipus is extremely rare as a given name due to its heavy mythological and psychological associations. It appears primarily in academic contexts, literary references, and artistic works rather than in birth registries. The name's usage is largely confined to characters in literature, theater productions, and psychological discussions. When used, it typically serves as a deliberate reference to the Greek tragedy or Freudian theory rather than as a conventional personal name. Its popularity has remained consistently low throughout modern history, with parents generally avoiding it due to the tragic and psychologically complex connotations. The name exists more as a cultural artifact than as a living naming tradition.
Symbolic & Spiritual Meanings
The name Oedipus symbolizes the fundamental human struggle between fate and free will, representing the tragic irony of seeking truth only to discover unbearable realities. It embodies the concept of 'knowing too much' and the paradox of wisdom that brings suffering rather than salvation. The swollen foot from which the name derives becomes symbolic of both physical and metaphorical lameness—the idea of being hobbled by one's origins and destiny. The name also represents the blindness of self-knowledge, where one can solve the greatest external mysteries while remaining ignorant of one's own nature and circumstances. It stands as a powerful symbol of the unintended consequences of pursuit, the limits of human agency, and the inescapable nature of certain truths that, once revealed, transform everything.