Given name & surname
Athan
“having eternal life”
Athan is a variant of Athanasois. One Greek interpretation is “having eternal life.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Athan is a variant of Athanasois. One Greek interpretation is “having eternal life.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Athan is a variant of Athanasois. An origin associated with Athanasois is Greek.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1917. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Athan through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,173
- 2,173 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2012
- 123 babies
- 2025
- 48
- #2,678 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −15%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 48 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,678 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 15.2% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 123 in 2012. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (17). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,670 as a first name in 2020; 315 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Athan, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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“man” · “of the earth”
99% boys · 1% girls
Arjun
Arjun is used as a given name and a surname. One Sanskrit interpretation is “white: the colour of dawn, lightning, milk, and silver.”
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Anderson
“the son of Andrew”
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Ayden
“one who is fiery; little fire” · “a fiery young man”
99% boys · 1% girls
Aidan
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99% boys · 1% girls
Evan
“God is gracious”
98% boys · 2% girls
Esteban
“one who is crowned in victory”
>99% boys
Ali
“the great one; one who is exalted”
92% boys · 8% girls