Phaedra

Phaedra is an ancient Greek female name, from “phaidros” (φαιδρός) which meant “bright, glowing” (same root source from where we get the name Phoebe). Phaedra is a name borne from Greek mythology, the demi-goddess daughter of King Minos of Crete and wife of Theseus (King of Athens). Her story is one that has inspired scores of artists (ancient playwrights, opera composers, musicians, authors, painters, filmmakers, etc.) to retell her tragic story. While Phaedra was married to Theseus, she fell desperately in love with her step-son, Hippolytus (who was the illegitimate son of Theseus by Hippolyte, Queen of the Amazons). Hippolytus, however, disgusted by his step-mother’s improper advances, spurned her. Angered at his rejection, the love-sick Phaedra falsely accused Hippolytus of raping her. Consequently, Theseus, in an effort to restore his wife’s honor, called upon his own father (the sea god Poseidon) to destroy Hippolytus. One day, as Hippolytus was riding his chariot, Poseidon released a great bull from out of the sea. The bull spooked the horses into upsetting the chariot thus dragging Hippolytus to a violent death. Incidentally, Hippolytus name means “loosened horses” in ancient Greek. When Phaedra heard of Hippolytus death, she hung herself in despair. Of course, as with all ancient myths, the stories vary greatly from one another. In another version, the legend has Aphrodite cursing Hippolytus by making his step-mother fall in love with him (after the young man incensed the goddess of love by worshipping Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, instead). Ancient Greek playwright Euripides wrote a prize-winning drama about the story in the 5th century B.C. (just to give you an idea of how old the name Phaedra is!). As a female given name among English-speakers today, Phaedra is (and always has been) super uncommon.