Ἀθηνᾶ

Athena

girlGreek

Athena is a girl name of Greek origin, meaning “Name of the goddess of wisdom”.

MeaningName of the goddess of wisdom
GenderGirl
OriginGreek
Written asἈθηνᾶ
Pronunciationuh-THEE-nuh
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inGreece, United States, United Kingdom

Meaning and origin of Athena

Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, crafts and strategic warfare, said to have sprung fully armed from the head of Zeus. She was the patron of Athens, and the Parthenon was her temple. The name is thought to be pre-Greek and its meaning is unknown; it may be linked to the city rather than the other way round. Athena has been rising in popularity in English-speaking countries in recent years.

Is Athena a religious name?

Athena is a figure of ancient Greek religion; today the name is used without religious meaning, including by Greek Orthodox families.

How popular is Athena?

Increasingly popular for girls in the US; traditional in Greece as Athina.

Gifts with the name Athena

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Spellings and variants of Athena

AtheneAthinaAthenais

Names similar to Athena

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Athena mean?

Athena means 'Name of the goddess of wisdom'. It is of Greek origin.

Does Athena have a religious meaning?

Athena is a figure of ancient Greek religion; today the name is used without religious meaning, including by Greek Orthodox families.

How do you pronounce Athena?

Athena is pronounced uh-THEE-nuh.

Is Athena a boy or girl name?

Athena is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.