Do you ever ponder over the name Atlas and its rather intriguing meaning? What is so special about this name, and why does it evoke such magic in people? In this article, I will explain the history behind the name Atlas and why this name is popular today. Welcome to this interesting discovery as we demystify this mighty name. Ready to discover more? Read on to learn more about Atlas and the many secrets that it holds.
Atlas Name Meaning
The name Atlas is one that is symbolic of strength and endurance and has its roots in the legends of antiquity and in history that goes back thousands of years. It is interesting to note that Atlas has been a popular name for centuries, starting from the great epics and continuing to the present-day naming fashions.
Origin of the Name Atlas
The name Atlas can be dated to back over 3000 years in Greek mythology. In mythology, Atlas was a strong Titan who was punished for holding the sky up on his shoulders. He was the son of Iapetus and Clymene and had three brothers, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius.
Atlas was punished for rebellion against the gods and for that he was to stand at the end of the earth and hold the sky on his back. This image of Atlas has become a symbol of great strength and bravery in the midst of a storm.
Today, the name Atlas is still popular and evokes interest and desire, which is the combination of the ancient and the contemporary. Thus, it is a proper name for those who have the spirit and determination to fight and to stand for something no matter how many generations have passed.
Popularity of the Name Atlas
During the Renaissance period, the name Atlas was used to represent knowledge and geographical discovery. Famous geographers including Geradus Mercator used Atlas as a title for maps and books that they produced. These works described the geography, history, and culture of the world and this added to the name’s popularity.
It is in this context that interest in Atlas was revived, hence its increased popularity. The name Atlas was established as a male name in the 17th and 18th centuries when more parents decided to name their sons Atlas. This was considered as a powerful and noble name, which was appropriate for the spirit of the time, which was characterized by the desire for discoveries and the thirst for knowledge.
Today, Atlas continues to be a favorite among parents and is highly regarded because of the symbolism of strength and courage that people wish for their children. Also, the name Atlas is symbolic of discovery, which is something that parents want for the next generation of children. And that is why Atlas is one of the most popular nicknames for boys today, though originally it was a last name.
The name has thus remained popular for centuries and is still on the increase. As of the data obtained from the US Social Security Administration, Atlas is the 631st name on the list of the most commonly given names for boys in the United States of America. A name that has been around for centuries, with deep history yet still has a contemporary ring to it.1
Famous People Named Atlas
Although Atlas has only recently become more popular, a few notable individuals have this unique name. One prominent figure is:
Atlas Ramachandran
Atlas Ramachandran was an Indian jeweler, actor, and film producer. He gained fame for his successful jewelry business and his contributions to the Indian film industry, making him a well-known personality in his field.
Celebrities Naming Their Children Atlas
Several celebrities have chosen the name Atlas for their children, reflecting its modern appeal:
Atlas Heche Tupper
Atlas Heche Tupper was born in 2009 to parents Anne Heche and James Tupper. Anne Heche was an American actress who featured in ‘Donnie Brasco’ and ‘Six Days, Seven Nights’ while James Tupper is famous for featuring in ‘Men in Trees’ and ‘Big Little Lies’.
Atlas Norton
Atlas Norton was born in 2013, he is the child of Edward Norton, a famous actor, and Shauna Robertson, a producer. Edward Norton is a well-known actor who starred in “Fight Club” and “American History X,” while Shauna Robertson is a comedy producer, who worked on “Superbad” and “Knocked Up.
Atlas Hendrix Sanchez
Atlas Hendrix Sanchez was born in 2014; his father is Claudio Sanchez, a musician, and the vocalist of the Coheed and Cambria band. Claudio Sanchez is the vocalist and the band is famous for its complex concept albums and the lead singer’s voice.
Atlas Cade Williams
Atlas Cade Williams was born in 2018 and is the child of the popular Cory and Kristen Williams who are YouTubers from America. Cory Williams also known as “Mr. Safety” is famous for his YouTube channel and Kristen Williams is famous for her YouTube content creation and family channel.
Charles Atlas (Angelo Siciliano)
Charles Atlas was an Italian-born Angelo Siciliano who was one of the most famous bodybuilders during the early twentieth century. He was the bodybuilding program and the ‘dynamic tension’ technique that motivated thousands of people to get in shape.
Atlas Blu Klamer
Atlas Blu Klamer, born in 2016, is the child of Jonny Blu, a singer, and Jacqueline Piñol, an actress. As for the music, Jonny Blu is famous for jazz and pop, whereas Jacqueline Piñol has acted in numerous TV shows and movies.
Atlas Noa
Atlas Noa is the daughter of Shay Mitchell a Canadian actress and her husband Matte Babel an actor born in the year 2019. Shay Mitchell is an actress who shot to popularity after she appeared in the television drama series “Pretty Little Liars” while Matte Babel is a television host and actor.
Similar Names to Atlas
Atlas name lovers can find similar names, that sound like Atlas, have similar meanings, or come from the same origin.
- Alice
Alice is a traditional name of Old French origin and it means noble or exalted. This name is ideal because of its traditional appeal and history.
- Angus
Angus is a classic Scottish name that is translated as ‘one strength’ or ‘singular choice.’ It is quite masculine and has a powerful ring to it like Atlas.
- Allan or Allen
Allan, which can also be written as Allen, has the meanings of rock or handsome and is a name as strong as Atlas.
- Antwan or Antwon
Antwan or its variation Antwon is a modern name that is phonetically similar to Atlas. It originated from Antoine, a name that is translated as ‘beyond praise.
- Atley or Atlee
Atley or Atlee also starts with the same sound as Atlas. This name is of English origin and implies ‘from the meadow’.
- Atticus
Atticus is derived from the Greek language and translates to “man of Attica. ” This name has a classical ring and creates a powerful, distinct sound similar to Atlas.
- Julius
Julius is a Latin name derived from ‘Youthful’ or ‘Downy bearded’, it also has a royal and historic feel to it just like Atlas.
- Lachlan
Lachlan is of Scottish origin and translates to ‘from the land of lakes’. It has a distinct sound that complements Atlas.
- Lazarus
Lazarus is a Hebrew name that translates to ‘God has helped’, it has a very old-world appeal and has a lot of historical and religious connotations.
- Mangus
Mangus is a modified version of Magnus which originated from Latin and means great. It is a name with a deep ring akin to Atlas and is quite popular among parents.
- Mattias
Mattias is the version of Matthias, which is derived from the Hebrew word that translates to ‘gift of God’. It has a classy ring to it and it seems to be timeless.
- Niklaus
Niklaus, a variation of Nicholas, stands for ‘victory of the people’; it has a classical and dignified ring to it, just like Atlas.
- Silas or Sylas
Silas is a name of Latin origin meaning “forest” or “wood.” It has a strong, simple elegance that complements the name Atlas.
- Wallace
Wallace is of Scottish origin, meaning “foreigner” or “stranger.” It carries a historic and distinguished air, akin to Atlas.
Sibling Names for Atlas
Below are some options of sibling names that would be perfect with Atlas because of the strong and distinct sound of the name.
For Brothers
- Achilles: From Greek mythology, this name is linked to the powerful and fiercely courageous warrior of the Trojan War.
- Evander: A more elite name that translates to mean good man which has roots in Greek mythology and which gives a feel of aristocracy.
- Hermes: This name means intelligent and agile and is associated with the Greek god of travelers and messengers.
- Jupiter: The name of the king of the Roman gods it has a great and powerful ring to it.
- Leander: This Greek name translates to ‘lion-man’ and it is related to a romantic and heroic mythological character.
- Orion: It has a Greek mythology link to the great hunter Orion and has a good association with the stars and sky.
- Perseus: A powerful name of Greek mythology associated with courage and fearlessness due to its ability to kill the monster Medusa.
- Sirius: The name of the brightest star in the night sky it gives a starry feel that complements Atlas.
For Sisters
- Athena: It is a strong name that originated from Greek mythology and has elements of wisdom, courage, and warfare.
- Aurora: It means ‘dawn’ and thus it has fresh, beautiful, and positive connotations of the morning light.
- Cosima: A classic name of Greek origin, which translates to ‘order’ or ‘beauty’, which gives a certain level of refinement.
- Gaia: Gaia comes from Greek mythology and refers to the earth; thus, the name has connotations of stability and support.
- Luna: Literally translated as ‘moon’ this name has a rather romantic and dreamy feel to it, which perfectly complements the name Atlas.
- Nova: A name derived from a word that means ‘new’ it symbolizes freshness and brightness of a star.
- Phoebe: This name comes from the Greek word meaning ‘brightness’ or ‘shining’ and is connected with the moon goddess.
- Thisbe: A rather exotic name with roots in Greek mythology associated with a rather sad story of lovers, which adds a special feel.
Middle Names for Atlas
You can also refer to the following Middle Names when renaming the Atlas including:
Conclusion
Thus, what can be said about the name Atlas? Dating back to mythology and continuing to the present day, Atlas is a name that has much depth and appeal. Regardless of whether people are thinking of using it as a name for a baby or just want to know more about it, there is no doubt that the name has a certain charm to it.
Do you feel like Atlas after reading the story? Please leave your comments below and tell us what you think is the most interesting about this legendary name. Are you up for more interesting names and the stories behind them? Please continue with us for more entailing information.
Sources:
- Popular Baby Names. (n.d.). SSA. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/limits.html ↩︎
