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Pythia1022
member
Odysseus, nn Oz
Pythia1022
member
in Baby Names
Odysseus Matthew, nickname would be "Oz." I think this is my perfect boy name. I find it both manly and adorable! But maybe that's just me...I actually have a feeling it's just me...lol
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Re: Odysseus, nn Oz
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Honestly, it's not my style but I can see the appeal. If you're going to call him Oz, just name him that. The whole nickname concept baffles me anyway.
It's a legitimate name and I have a strict "legitimate names that are traditionally spelled get a free pass" rule, but I really must caution against it. It's an awful lot of name for any kid. Heck, it's an awful lot of name for any adult!
What about Osbourne? Oswald? Osgood? Olwyn? I'm reaching, I know, but, please consider them.
I like Odysseus a lot, but OZ? I don't see how you can get Oz out of Odysseus, plus Oz is a horrible, horrible name.
Back to being nice... I do like Odysseus, but it's a heck of a name for a guy to carry. What about middle naming it? I think it would be a fantastic mn for a guy to have- it has excellent literary connotations to it.
I think so too.
No no no no NO.
PLEASE. No. Don't go all Greek tragedy on this kid. No. I'm so sorry, JMO but to me it's a laughing stock name - the sort of name people talk about behind your back. Also, the meaning is not good...see below:
The boy's name Odysseus od(ys)-seus is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Odysseus is "angry man". The derivation of this name is uncertain. Possibly linked to the Greek term "dys" meaning "to hate", or also possibly "leg wound". In Homer's epic poems "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey", Odysseus was known for his eloquence and his talent for playing tricks. The Latin version of the name, Ulysses, is better known in America due to the fame of President Ulysses S. Grant.
Shockingly enough, I don't hate it.
I have heard two pronunciations: O-dee-sis and Oh-diss-ee-iss. Which one? Not a fan of Oz as a nn though.
The chances that he will end up in a hs english class where he'll have to read the Odyssey someday are pretty good. Lots of schools read it. Everyone will mock him endlessly. Odysseus was a giant player and a tool who wandered around getting picked on by the gods while he wife pined away for him at home. Not a good namesake.
I don't hate it. One of our cats is named Odysseus, so it seems pretty normal to me since I say it every day.
But I do agree with pp's that it is a pretty "big" name to have for a human little boy.
I just want to give you a world as beautiful as you are to me.
Wow, i gotta disagree with the previous poster who claimed his hs class would tease him for being named after a "huge player." High school boys usually like that stuff.
Odysseus is not a tragic figure. He's a hero. He was one of hte most valued members of the Greek army, a major strategist, it was his idea to do the whole Trojan horse thing. He's beloved by Athena (not "picked on by all the gods" -- it's really only Poseidon that doesn't like him), and is renowned for being one of the most intelligent and wily of all Greek kings.
I love the character of Odysseus (my favorite of all the Greek heroes) and the name Odysseus, and I wasn't brave enough to put it on my first name list, partially because we didn't think "Odie" was a decent nickname (all we could picture was Garfield's doggie friend) but it was on the middle name one for a boy. But I think Oz is a fantastic nickname, and I totally would have reconsidered the name had I thought of that, and had a boy.
(The nickname police are always out in full force on this board. DOn't mind them. They probably wouldn't except Peggy for Margaret, either. How you get "Oz" from Odysseus seems obvious to me. Also, I love that character on Buffy.)
All in all, two enthusiastic thumbs up from me.
You obviously don't know many teenage boys. Even with your (very on the surface) description, he would be a hero among them.
OP, I don't really like the Odysseus myself, but you seem to be pretty set.
You and your son will have to be strong with a name like this. Teach him to be strong, and do your best to teach him to be proud of the name. (But don't be surprised if he doesn't like it as much as you do. It's not for everyone.)
BTW: Matthew is a nice, solid name that is generally accepted among basically everyone. Great way to balance out the quirkiness of Odysseus.