Phedra as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Phedra

What is the meaning of the name Phedra ?

The baby name Phedra is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /ˈfiːdrə/ or /ˈfeɪdrə/; respelling: FEE-druh or FAY-druh.

Phedra is Greek in Origin.

Rooted in ancient Greek, Phedra is a modern respelling of Phaedra (Greek Φαίδρα, Faídra), derived from phaidros, “bright, radiant.” The name belongs to myth: Phaedra, daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë and wife of Theseus, is central to the tragedy of forbidden love with Hippolytus, a story retold by Euripides, Seneca, and Racine (Phèdre). Through these works the name entered the European literary canon and became familiar across languages, though never widely used.

Phedra emerged as an English-friendly variant in the 20th century, likely adopted to streamline spelling while preserving the f sound of the original. Related forms include Phaedra (standard English), Faídra or Faidra (modern Greek transliteration), Fedra (Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese), and Phèdre (French). The meaning “bright” or “shining” remains constant across variants, giving Phedra a classical aura with a sleek, contemporary silhouette.