Find out how popular the first name Atem has been for the last 15 years (from 2008 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Atem by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Atem is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Atem.

The history of the first name Atem

The name Atem is of ancient Egyptian origin, stemming from the words "tem" and "atum," which are associated with the primordial deity Atum, the creator god and the personification of the setting sun. It is believed to have been in use as early as the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, around 2686–2181 BC.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Atem can be found in the Pyramid Texts, a collection of ancient Egyptian funerary inscriptions dating back to the late Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period (c. 2350–2040 BC). These texts contain spells and ritual instructions intended to aid the deceased pharaoh's journey to the afterlife.

In the historical records, Atem was the name of several notable figures, including Atem I, a pharaoh of the 11th Dynasty who ruled during the late Third Intermediate Period (c. 1069–1043 BC). Another prominent bearer of the name was Atem-her, a high-ranking official and vizier who served under Pharaoh Ramesses II during the 19th Dynasty (c. 1279–1213 BC).

The name Atem also holds significance in ancient Egyptian mythology. It is closely associated with the sun god Ra, who was often depicted as a falcon-headed deity wearing a sun disk on his head. According to some accounts, Atem was a manifestation or an aspect of Ra, representing the setting sun and the cycle of rebirth and renewal.

Other notable historical figures who bore the name Atem include Atem-Neferu, a prince and high priest who lived during the 26th Dynasty (c. 664–525 BC), and Atem-her-khepesh-ef, a high official and nobleman who served under Pharaoh Djedkare Isesi during the Fifth Dynasty (c. 2494–2345 BC).

Throughout the centuries, the name Atem has been revered for its connection to ancient Egyptian culture and mythology, symbolizing the cycle of life, creation, and the divine power of the sun.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Atem was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Atem, please contact us.

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