Iedida

Etymology

Iedida is a Greek transcription of the Hebrew name Jedidah (יְדִידָה), appearing in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament. The Hebrew origin stems from the root yaḏiḏ, meaning "beloved" or "friend," lending the name a deeply affectionate connotation.

Biblical Context

In the Bible, Iedida is referenced as the wife of King Amon of Judah and the mother of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:1). Josiah is renowned for his religious reforms and his tragic death at Megiddo in the 7th century BC. Her name reflects the cherished status she held, though the biblical narrative focuses primarily on her son’s righteous reign. The variant Idida appears in the Latin Vulgate, while the original Hebrew form is Yedida.

Cultural Significance

The Greek form Iedida preserves the etymology of the original Hebrew through transliteration, demonstrating how names were adapted in the Hellenistic Jewish diaspora. Unlike its parent name, which later saw moderate use among English-speaking Christians after the Protestant Reformation, Iedida remains largely confined to biblical scholarship and liturgical contexts.

• Meaning: "Beloved"
• Origin: Greek transcription of Hebrew
• Type: First name
• Usage: Greek Old Testament (Septuagint)