Pentheus Name Meaning & Details
Origin, Popularity, Numerology Analysis & Name Meaning of Pentheus
Discover the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the name PENTHEUS. Delve into its historical roots and explore the lasting impact it has had on communities and traditions.
Name
Pentheus
Gender
Male
Origin
Greek
Lucky Number
9
Meaning of the Name
Pentheus is a Greek mythological name meaning 'man of sorrow' or 'suffering,' derived from the Greek word 'penthos.' The name belongs to the tragic king of Thebes who opposed the worship of Dionysus and met a violent end, making it strongly associated with themes of resistance to divine power and tragic downfall.
Complete Numerology Analysis
Your Numerology Number
Based on Pythagorean Numerology System
Ruling Planet
Mars
Positive Nature
Generous, passionate, energetic, and humanitarian.
Negative Traits
Impulsive, impatient, moody, and can be overly emotional.
Lucky Colours
Red, maroon, scarlet.
Lucky Days
Tuesday.
Lucky Stones
Red coral, garnet.
Harmony Numbers
1, 2, 3, 6.
Best Suited Professions
Military, sports, philanthropy, leadership roles.
What People Like About You
Courage, energy, leadership, generosity.
Famous People Named Pentheus
Pentheus of Thebes
Mythological King
Tragic ruler who opposed Dionysian worship and suffered dismemberment by maenads
Pentheus (Euripides)
Literary Character
Protagonist of 'The Bacchae', representing resistance to divine ecstasy and religious transformation
Pentheus in Classical Art
Artistic Subject
Frequent figure in Greek vase painting and Roman mosaics depicting mythological tragedy
Name Variations & International Equivalents
Click on blue names to explore their detailed meanings. Gray names with will be available soon.
Cultural & Historical Significance
The cultural impact of Pentheus extends beyond ancient Greece into Renaissance art, Enlightenment philosophy, and modern psychology. During the Renaissance, his story was reinterpreted through Christian lens as a warning against heresy and religious disobedience. In the modern era, Freudian and Jungian psychologists have used the Pentheus myth to explore concepts of repression and the unconscious. The name continues to symbolize the eternal tension between civilization's need for order and humanity's primal, ecstatic nature, making it a timeless reference point in discussions about power, control, and transformation.
Extended Personality Analysis
The name Pentheus suggests a personality marked by strong leadership capabilities, intellectual rigor, and a deep commitment to principles and order. Individuals with this name are likely to be analytical thinkers who value logic and structure, often taking positions of authority or responsibility. They possess natural commanding presence and the ability to organize complex systems, but may struggle with flexibility and emotional spontaneity. Their strength of conviction can sometimes manifest as stubbornness or an unwillingness to consider alternative viewpoints.
Beneath this authoritative exterior often lies a more complex psychological landscape. The mythological associations suggest someone who may experience internal conflicts between their rational mind and deeper emotional or spiritual needs. This creates a personality that is both powerful and vulnerable, capable of great achievement but also prone to dramatic personal crises. The name implies a journey of self-discovery where initial resistance to change or emotional expression may eventually give way to profound transformation, often through difficult experiences that challenge fundamental beliefs and assumptions about the world.
Modern Usage & Popularity
In contemporary naming practices, Pentheus remains exceptionally rare and is primarily used in specific cultural or intellectual contexts rather than mainstream baby naming. Its usage is largely confined to families with strong classical education backgrounds, Greek cultural heritage, or those making a deliberate philosophical statement through naming. The name appears occasionally in modern Greek communities but maintains its status as an unconventional choice due to its heavy mythological baggage and tragic associations. Current naming trends show no significant increase in popularity, with the name continuing to serve more as an academic or artistic reference than a practical given name. Its modern applications are mostly limited to literary characters, academic discussions, and symbolic uses in psychology and philosophy rather than everyday personal identification.
Symbolic & Spiritual Meanings
Symbolically, Pentheus represents the profound conflict between human rationality and divine madness, between structured civilization and primal nature. He embodies the archetype of the rational authoritarian who attempts to suppress ecstatic religious experience and is consequently destroyed by the very forces he sought to control. The name symbolizes the dangers of hubris—the excessive pride that leads mortals to challenge gods—and serves as a powerful metaphor for the psychological concept of repression and its violent return.
In broader symbolic terms, Pentheus stands for the tension between Apollonian order and Dionysian ecstasy that has fascinated philosophers from Nietzsche to modern times. His story represents how rigid systems of control inevitably collapse under pressure from the transformative powers they exclude. The name has become symbolic shorthand for authoritarian resistance to change, the tragedy of inflexible leadership, and the universal human struggle between maintaining control and surrendering to transformative experiences that challenge our fundamental understanding of reality.