Athena
Athena is a girls' name of Greek origin meaning “goddess of wisdom and war.” It ranked #109 in the United States in 2025. Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, and strategic warfare.
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how do you pronounce Athena?
ah-THEE-nah
where does the name Athena come from?
The Greek Ἀθηνᾶ, the goddess's own name, of uncertain and probably pre-Greek origin. The relationship with the city is debated in both directions, whether Athens is named for the goddess or the goddess for the city, and the question has never been settled.
The city of Athens was named in her honor. The name has risen dramatically in popularity as parents embrace powerful mythological names for girls.
the history of Athena
Athena is the goddess of wisdom, craft and strategic warfare, born from Zeus's head fully armed, and the Parthenon on the Acropolis was built to house her statue. She contests Athens with Poseidon and wins by giving the olive tree. Direct use of the name is modern: it entered the American top hundred only in the 2020s.
how popular is this name?
Athena has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 70 years since 1955, and fell outside it for 1. It peaked at #76 in 2023, and ranked #109 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #109 |
| 2024 | #90 |
| 2023 | #76 |
| 2022 | #78 |
| 2021 | #98 |
| 2020 | #107 |
| 2019 | #104 |
| 2018 | #117 |
| 2017 | #127 |
| 2016 | #142 |
| 2010 | #363 |
| 2000 | #530 |
| 1990 | #731 |
| 1980 | #541 |
| 1970 | #736 |
| 1960 | #842 |
| 1955 | #712 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Athena fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Athena?
- Athena (Greek goddess of wisdom)
- Athena Calderone (designer and author)
- Athena (Battlestar Galactica character)
what are the nicknames and variants of Athena?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Athena?
what names go well with Athena?
Sibling names that share Athena's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Athena
What does the name Athena mean?
Athena means “goddess of wisdom and war”.
What is the origin of the name Athena?
Athena comes from the Greek naming tradition. Related forms include Athina and Atena.
How popular is the name Athena?
Athena ranked #109 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2023, at #76, and it has spent 70 years in the top 1,000 since 1955.
Is Athena a boy or girl name?
Athena is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Athena?
Athena is pronounced ah-THEE-nah, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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