Athaniel is of Greek origin, derived from the elements 'athlos' meaning 'contest' and 'nêkja' signifying 'victory'. This unique name carries a strong, powerful connotation, suggesting triumph over challenges. It is a unisex name, although it is more commonly used for males. The name Athaniel has not been widely popular throughout history, making it quite rare and distinctive. Spelling variations include Athaniel, Athanial, Athanilus, Athanius, Athaniell, and Athanil.
The name Athaniel has seen varying popularity over the years, with peaks in 2009 and a consistent interest between 2006 and 2012, resulting in a total of 23 babies named Athaniel during this period.