The Name 'Odesa' Emerged in 1795: Why No Official Decree to Rename Khadjibey Exists.

The Origins of the Name Odesa

According to Novyny.live: Historians note that the name Odesa first appeared in official records in February 1795. However, no imperial decree ordering the renaming of the settlement of Khadjibey has ever been found, suggesting the name's origins may be more administrative than ceremonial. This is a point of significant interest for researchers, as Khadjibey was already an established settlement before the name Odesa came into use.

The first recorded mention of Odesa is in an act establishing the Voznesensk Viceroyalty. As historian Oleksandr Muzyichko, who researches this topic, points out, even this document contained the curious phrasing:

"Odesa, comma, called Khadjibey by the Tatars" – Oleksandr Muzyichko

This indicates that the new name was not yet widely recognized and was used almost parenthetically in the text.

Furthermore, a rescript from Catherine II to José de Ribas contains no reference to a city named Odesa.

"This rescript has no relation to the founding of Odesa. It doesn't even mention the city's name" – Oleksandr Muzyichko

A Complex Historical Puzzle

Overall, the origin of the name Odesa remains a subject of research and debate. The lack of definitive documentary evidence highlights the complexity of the city's early administrative history under the Russian Empire.

This information is crucial for understanding the historical context of Odesa's development. The absence of a decree formally changing Khadjibey to Odesa suggests the city's naming story is more nuanced than a simple top-down order. Investigating this question can provide fresh insights into the city's cultural identity and its role within the broader historical narrative of the Black Sea region.