Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Athena
GirlGreek
- Meaning
- uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- uh-THEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #109
- US babies 2025
- 2,477
- Best rank
- #76 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Athena
Athena is usually linked to Greek roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
Athena belonged to the Greek goddess of wisdom, crafts and strategic warfare, the patron of Athens. Scholars have never settled what the name means; it may be older than Greek itself, and it is unclear whether the goddess was named for the city or the city for the goddess. The Parthenon on the Acropolis was built in her honor, and her Roman counterpart was Minerva. As a given name, Athena carries a sense of intelligence and poise without feeling stuffy. It sits comfortably beside other mythological picks like Penelope and Phoebe, and Thea or Tina work as casual short forms.
Famous parents who chose Athena: Maria Menounos and Keven Undergaro (2023). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Athena first appears in US Social Security records in 1902. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 70 different years, starting in 1955. Its best national rank was #76 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 3,029 were named Athena. In 2025, 2,477 babies were named Athena, and it ranked #109 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,208 in 1920, #1,836 in 1950, #541 in 1980, #530 in 2000, #363 in 2010, and #109 in 2025. Of the 53,118 US girls named Athena since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 16,536 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Raelynn, Eliza, Remi, Elliana, and Leilani.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Athena ranked highest in Alaska, New Mexico, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #18 | 17 |
| New Mexico | #42 | 23 |
| Nevada | #64 | 30 |
| Arizona | #66 | 80 |
| California | #71 | 379 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Athena is usually pronounced uh-THEE-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Athena
A few middle names that flow with Athena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Athena
Similar names
Helena Girl
HEH-luh-nuh
“uncertain; possibly torch or light” · Greek
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Elena Girl
eh-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; meaning uncertain” · Greek
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Selena Girl
suh-LEE-nuh
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Ariadna Girl
ah-ree-AHD-nah
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Ariana Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy; form of Ariadne” · Italian
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Arianna Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
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Elaina Girl
ih-LAY-nuh
“form of Helen; often said to mean torch” · Greek
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Melina Girl
meh-LEE-nuh
“possibly honey” · Greek
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Iliana Girl
il-ee-AH-nuh
“uncertain; possibly from Ilion or Helen” · Greek
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Elina Girl
eh-LEE-nuh
“form of Helen; meaning uncertain” · Finnish
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Georgina Girl
jawr-JEE-nuh
“farmer” · Greek
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Christina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
“follower of Christ” · Latin
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Lists that include Athena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Athena mean?
Athena is usually linked to Greek roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
What is the origin of the name Athena?
Athena has Greek roots. Athena belonged to the Greek goddess of wisdom, crafts and strategic warfare, the patron of Athens.
Is Athena a popular name?
Yes. Athena ranked #109 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Athena a boy or girl name?
Athena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Athena?
Athena is usually pronounced uh-THEE-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings