Orodes (given name)

Orodes
Gendermale
Origin
Language(s)Middle Iranian
MeaningUncertain
Region of originGreater Iran
Other names
Variant form(s)
  • Ouorodes
  • Hyrodes
  • Worod
  • Worodes
  • Vorod
  • Vorodes
  • Urud
  • Viru
Derivative(s)Herod
DerivedUncertain

Orodes is the Latinized form of a male given name of Middle Iranian origin popularized by Parthians. In Greek it is recorded as Orōdēs (Ὀρώδης), Hērōdēs (Ἡρώδης), Hurōdēs (Ὑρώδης, in Latin: Hyrōdēs), and once as Ouorōdēs (Οὐορώδην). It is recorded in Shapur I's trilingual inscription at the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht as Greek (§67) Ouorōd (Οὐορωδ), Middle Persian (§35) wyrwd (𐭥𐭩𐭥𐭥𐭣 Wērōy, Wīroy, Wirōy) and Parthian (§28) wrwd (𐭅𐭓𐭅𐭃 Wērōd, Urūd). The older form is probably Wērōd, supposedly developed into a regional Werōd, and later Worōd. The Middle Persian is also recorded with the spelling wyrwy and wylwd. It is recorded in New Persian as Wērō (ویرو, "Viru"), name of a character in Vis o Ramin, a romance of Parthian origin.

The name is recorded as wrwd in Syriac and Aramaic texts from Egypt (spelled wrd instead), Elymais, Palmyra, Hatra, Dura-Europos, and possibly Assur. The Parthian name is also attested in Late Babylonian (mú-ru-da-a).

The etymology of the word is disputed.