Orodes (given name)

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.