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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz

Unusual name Boris and Carrie Johnson have given son has 'painful' meaning

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie have welcomed their third child together, and in keeping with the rest of his children's names, this one is rather quite unique.

The couple already have Wilfred, who was born in April 2020 and Romy, who was born in December 2021. Carrie, 35, announced her pregnancy in May 2023, revealing she would be giving birth in a matter of weeks.

Today (July 11), the media advisor shared a picture of herself holding the newborn, revealing she had given birth to a son on July 5 - and also confirming the name.

In the caption, she wrote: "Welcome to the world Frank Alfred Odysseus Johnson born 5th July at 9.15am (Can you guess which name my husband chose?!

They have named the baby Frank Alfred Odysseus Johnson (carrielbjohnson/Instagram)
Frank was born on July 5 (carrielbjohnson/Instagram)

"Am loving every minute of the sleepy baby bubble. Seeing my older two embrace their new brother with such joy and excitement has been the most wonderful thing to see. We are all very smitten."

The name Carrie is referring to is no doubt Odysseus, and although they haven't announced why they chose the moniker, it has a rather unusual meaning.

In Greek mythology, Odysseus was the wise and courageous king of Ithaca - the hero of Homer's Odyssey.

The legendary hero was famous for his courage, intelligence and leadership skills, but according to Nameberry, the name itself means "wrathful". Others translate the name as "pain" or "son of pain".

He wasn't just a hero, but a warrior too. Homer repeatedly called him resourceful, but he often presents himself as crafty, and even lies about his identity to escape the Cyclops' cave.

In Greek mythology, Odysseus and Poseidon had mutual wrath for each other, and he frequently suffers pain as well as inflicts it on other people.

According to Nameberry, the name has often been considered "too weighty" for a child to bear - but that "some brave, resourceful parents out there might be willing to take it on".

What do you think of the name? Let us know in the comment section below.

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