Find out how popular the first name Athanasius has been for the last 23 years (from 2001 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Athanasius by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Athanasius is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 24 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Athanasius.

The history of the first name Athanasius

The name Athanasius has its origins in the Greek language and culture. It is derived from the Greek word "athanatos," which means "immortal" or "undying." The name can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was given to individuals as a way of expressing the hope for eternal life or immortality.

One of the earliest and most notable historical references to the name Athanasius is found in the writings of the early Christian theologian and bishop, Athanasius of Alexandria. Born in 293 AD in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, he was a prominent figure in the debates surrounding the nature of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. His unwavering defense of the orthodox Christian doctrine earned him the title "Athanasius Contra Mundum" (Athanasius Against the World).

Another famous bearer of the name Athanasius was Athanasius the Athonite, a 10th-century Byzantine monk and founder of the monastic community on Mount Athos, Greece. He is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and is celebrated for his contributions to the development of monastic life.

In the 16th century, Athanasius Kircher, a German Jesuit scholar and polymath, made significant contributions to various fields, including Egyptology, linguistics, and mathematics. He was born in 1601 in Geisa, Germany, and is remembered for his pioneering work in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs and his extensive studies on ancient cultures.

Moving forward in time, Athanasius Parios was a Greek monk and scholar who lived in the 17th century. Born in 1642 on the island of Paros, Greece, he is best known for his work in compiling and preserving ancient Greek manuscripts, particularly those related to Byzantine history and literature.

In the realm of literature, Athanasius Kircher, a German Jesuit priest and scholar, made significant contributions to various fields, including Egyptology, linguistics, and mathematics. He was born in 1602 in Geisa, Germany, and is remembered for his pioneering work in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs and his extensive studies on ancient cultures.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Athanasius, a name deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of ancient Greece and the early Christian tradition, reflecting the enduring human desire for immortality and the pursuit of knowledge.

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 Athanasius was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!