Athalia is a unique and distinctive female given name of Hebrew origin. It was derived from the name Athaliah, which appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. Athaliah was the daughter of Omri, king of Israel, and she herself became queen regnant of Judah for six years after her son Ahaziah's death.
The name Athalia has a significant historical background as it is associated with one of the few female rulers in ancient Israelite history. Despite this, it remains relatively uncommon today, making it an interesting choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their daughter.
In terms of meaning, Athalia is often interpreted to have several possible meanings. Some sources suggest that it means "destroyer" or "insubordinate," while others propose it could mean "ascending" or even "noble." Regardless of the exact interpretation, the name Athalia carries a strong and powerful connotation.
Overall, Athalia is a unique and historically significant female given name with Hebrew origins. Its uncommon usage today makes it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a distinctive name with deep roots in history and culture.
Based on the statistics provided, it is clear that the name Athalia has seen a significant increase in popularity over time in the United States. The earliest data available starts from 1915 with 8 births, and there were several years throughout the mid to late twentieth century where only around 5 births occurred annually.
However, starting from the year 2000, we see a marked increase in the number of babies named Athalia each year. From just 12 births in 2000, this figure grew steadily, reaching 43 births in 2020 and an impressive 84 births in 2023.
This consistent growth over recent decades suggests that the name Athalia is becoming more popular among parents-to-be in the United States. This trend may be due to a variety of factors such as changes in cultural trends, influences from media or literature, or simply because it has become increasingly familiar and liked by modern generations. Regardless, it's clear that the name Athalia is now more prevalent than ever before.
In terms of total births over this time period (1915-2023), there have been 824 babies named Athalia in the United States alone. This figure demonstrates the consistent presence of the name across generations, despite its fluctuating popularity. It's an interesting reminder that even when a name may not be widely popular at one point in time, it can still maintain a steady level of usage and re-emerge as a favored choice for parents later on.
Overall, these statistics paint a compelling picture of how trends in naming have evolved over the past century, with Athalia being just one example among many.