The given name Attie is a Dutch diminutive form of the name Atta, which is a feminine name derived from the Germanic root "att," meaning "formidable" or "terrible." This root is also found in other names such as Athelstan and Ethelred. The name Attie was particularly popular in the Netherlands and surrounding regions during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Attie can be found in the Dutch records of the late 16th century. A notable figure from this time was Attie van Tricht, a Dutch Renaissance painter born in 1570 in Utrecht, known for her still-life paintings and portraits of aristocratic patrons.

In the 17th century, Attie Gerritsen was a Dutch merchant and ship owner who played a significant role in the Dutch East India Company's trade with Asia. She was born in 1620 in Amsterdam and became one of the wealthiest women in the city through her successful business ventures.

Moving into the 18th century, Attie Cramer was a Dutch botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life in the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia). She was born in 1723 in Amsterdam and traveled extensively, documenting and cataloging numerous plant species.

In the 19th century, Attie van Rappard was a notable Dutch artist and etcher, born in 1841 in Haarlem. She was renowned for her etchings of Dutch cityscapes and landscapes, and her works are housed in many prestigious museums and collections.

Another historical figure with the name Attie was Attie van Leeuwen, a Dutch feminist and advocate for women's rights, born in 1869 in Rotterdam. She played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement in the Netherlands and was instrumental in the establishment of several organizations dedicated to advancing women's rights and education.