Athalie is a unique and distinctive feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Atalya," which means "virile" or "noble." This name has a rich history and appears in the Old Testament of the Bible.
In the Bible, Athaliah was a queen who ruled over Judah for six years after the death of her husband, King Ahaziah. She was known for being a ruthless and tyrannical ruler, ordering the execution of all her sons and grandsons to secure her own power. However, her grandson Joash was hidden away by his aunt Jehoshabeath and eventually became king after Athaliah's reign.
Despite its biblical association with a negative historical figure, the name Athalie has been used throughout history and continues to be popular today. In France, for instance, it is considered an elegant and sophisticated name, often associated with intelligence and refinement. The name has also been used by royalty in Europe, such as Queen Marie of Romania, who was born Princess Marie Alexandra Victoria of Edinburgh.
In literature, Athalie has appeared as a character in several works, most notably in Jean Racine's play "Athalie" from 1691. This tragic play explores themes of power, politics, and religion during the reign of Queen Athaliah.
Overall, Athalie is an uncommon yet captivating name with a strong biblical heritage and historical significance. Its meaning of "virile" or "noble" adds to its appeal as a unique choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter.
The given statistics show the annual number of babies named Athalie born in the United States from 1914 to 2016. The name appears to have been quite popular during the early to mid-20th century, with a peak of 26 births in 1915 and consistently around 10-20 births per year until the 1930s.
After a decline in popularity from the 1940s onwards, the name Athalie made a brief resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with around 5-8 births per year between 1996 and 2008. However, since then, its popularity has decreased again, with only 5 births each in 2009 and 2016.
In total, there were 219 babies named Athalie born in the United States from 1914 to 2016. This unique name, while not extremely common, has been chosen by parents for their daughters across several decades.