UK boy's name
Athen
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "eternal" or "immortal".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Athen is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Athen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2018 to 2022. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Athen. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Athen ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 3 boys were registered as Athen.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Athen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
2018
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Athen mean?
The name Athen is believed to have its origins in ancient Greece, derived from the Greek word 'Athena', the name of the goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare. It is a name that has been associated with strength, intelligence, and resilience throughout history.
In ancient Greek mythology, Athena was one of the most revered deities, known for her strategic prowess and her role as the patron goddess of the city of Athens. The city itself was named after her, as it was believed to be under her divine protection. The name Athen is a variation of this powerful goddess's name, carrying the same connotations of wisdom and strength.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Athen can be found in the works of ancient Greek historians and philosophers, such as Herodotus and Plato, who often referenced the goddess and her influence on Greek culture and society.
Over the centuries, the name Athen has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the most famous was Athenaeus, a Greek grammarian and scholar who lived in the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries AD. His work, 'Deipnosophistai' (The Learned Banqueters), was a significant literary work that provided valuable insights into ancient Greek culture and customs.
Another historical figure with the name Athen was Athenagoras of Athens, a Christian philosopher and apologist who lived in the 2nd century AD. He is renowned for his work 'A Plea for the Christians', which defended the Christian faith against pagan accusations and promoted religious tolerance.
In the medieval period, the name Athen was carried by Athenais of Constantinople, a Byzantine empress who lived in the 5th century AD. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and her influence on the court of her husband, Emperor Theodosius II.
During the Renaissance, the name Athen gained popularity once again, particularly among scholars and intellectuals who were inspired by the revival of classical Greek and Roman culture. One notable figure from this era was Athenaeus Philologus, a Greek scholar and editor who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Another significant figure with the name Athen was Athenais Michalitsianos, a Greek poet and philosopher who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was a prominent figure in the Greek literary scene and was known for her work promoting women's rights and education.
The name Athen has endured through the ages, carrying with it the symbolic weight of its ancient Greek origins and the connotations of wisdom, courage, and resilience associated with the goddess Athena. Its historical significance and cultural resonance have ensured its continued use, serving as a testament to the enduring influence of Greek mythology and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Athen over time
The chart below shows babies named Athen registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2018 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Athen, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Athen by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Athen was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4749 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Athen
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Athen: questions and answers
How popular is the name Athen in the UK right now?
In 2022, Athen was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Athen most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 3 babies registered as Athen in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Athen?
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "eternal" or "immortal".
How many people are called Athen in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Athen across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.