Find out how popular the first name Athena has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Athena by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Athena is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,984 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Athena.

The history of the first name Athena

The name Athena originated from the ancient Greek language and culture, dating back to antiquity. It is derived from the Greek word "athenos," which means "unwearied" or "indefatigable." The name is associated with the Greek goddess Athena, who was the deity of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, and skill.

In Greek mythology, Athena was born fully armed from the forehead of her father, Zeus, the king of the gods. She was portrayed as a powerful and formidable figure, often depicted with a helmet, shield, and spear, symbolizing her warrior spirit and strategic prowess. The name Athena was revered and celebrated in ancient Greek culture, as the goddess was widely worshipped and her virtues were deeply admired.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Athena can be found in the ancient Greek epic poems, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, written by Homer in the 8th century BC. In these works, Athena is depicted as a prominent figure, guiding and protecting heroes like Odysseus and Achilles.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Athena. One of the most famous was Athena Parthenos (480 BC - 438 BC), the monumental chryselephantine (gold and ivory) sculpture of the goddess Athena created by the Greek sculptor Phidias and housed in the Parthenon in Athens.

Another prominent figure was Athena of Alexandria (4th century BC), a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived in ancient Alexandria. She is known for her contributions to the development of geometry and for her work on the spiral named after her, the "Spiral of Archimedes."

In the 16th century, Athena Akrivos (1531 - 1597) was a Greek Renaissance scholar and translator who played a significant role in the dissemination of Greek literature and culture in Western Europe.

During the 19th century, Athena Mikhailovna Granitskaya-Shirinkina (1819 - 1876) was a Russian noblewoman and philanthropist who founded several educational institutions and worked towards improving the lives of women in Russia.

More recently, Athena Stelios (1867 - 1954) was a Greek novelist and short story writer who made significant contributions to modern Greek literature.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Athena, which has been associated with wisdom, strength, and the pursuit of knowledge and justice across various cultures and time periods.

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

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

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