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Wednesday Addams has been a part of pop culture for nearly a century. First introduced as a cartoon in 1938, she has since come to life in several live-action versions played by different actresses. Christina Ricci gave us one of the most iconic portrayals in the 1990s, and more recently, Jenna Ortega brought a new generation of fans to the character through Netflix’s Wednesday. Ortega’s performance turned the stoic, gothic teenager into a global sensation. But while fans admire her deadpan humor, macabre fashion sense, and sharp wit, many have also wondered: why exactly is she named Wednesday?
What is the reason behind Wednesday Addams’ name?
The answer lies in an old English nursery rhyme called Monday’s Child. The rhyme links each day of the week with a particular personality trait. The line that matters most here is: “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.”
This is exactly where Wednesday Addams’ name comes from. In the Netflix series, Principal Larissa Weems asks Morticia and Gomez Addams if their daughter was born on a Wednesday. Wednesday herself corrects her, saying she was actually born on Friday the 13th. Morticia then reveals the truth: her daughter’s name was inspired by the rhyme, not her birthday.
It’s a clever creative choice by the Addams Family’s original creators. The phrase “full of woe” perfectly fits Wednesday’s personality. She embodies the darker emotions most people shy away from, misery, gloom, and cynicism, yet she carries them with confidence and wit.
Does the Name Fit Wednesday Addams’ Personality?
Absolutely. Wednesday is the very picture of the rhyme. She is gloomy, unsettling, and often described as a “walking disaster.” She delights in the strange and the morbid, embraces a dark worldview, and doesn’t hide her fascination with pain and death. Still, her love for her family is undeniable. While she rarely traditionally shows affection, she fiercely protects her loved ones whenever they’re in danger.
Interestingly, early adaptations of the character didn’t lean so heavily into her dark side. In the 1960s television series, Wednesday was portrayed as sweet, innocent, and almost ordinary, quite different from the modern, macabre version that audiences know today. Over the decades, however, her character evolved into the gothic icon we now recognise, complete with her signature braids, pale skin, and pitch-black wardrobe.
The name Wednesday is no accident. It’s a symbolic anchor for everything the character represents. It connects her to centuries-old folklore, deepens her gothic persona, and makes her instantly unforgettable. From cartoons to Christina Ricci’s cult-classic version to Jenna Ortega’s wildly popular take, Wednesday Addams remains the perfect embodiment of that nursery rhyme line: a child full of woe, but also full of individuality, wit, and a strange kind of charm that fans can’t resist.