Athel is a unique and ancient name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English elements æþel, which means "noble" or "high-ranking," and lufu, meaning "love." Therefore, Athel can be interpreted as "noble love."
The name Athel was popular among the early English nobility. One notable figure bearing this name was Æthelstan, also known as Athelstan, who was the first king of all England. He reigned from 924 to 939 and is celebrated for uniting the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms under his rule.
The use of Athel declined after the Norman Conquest in 1066 but experienced a revival during the Victorian era. Today, it remains a rare and distinctive choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet historically significant name for their child. Despite its historical roots, Athel is gender-neutral and can be used for both boys and girls.
In summary, Athel is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that means "noble love." With its rich history and unique sound, it offers a distinctive naming option for those interested in uncommon yet meaningful names with deep roots in English history.
The name Athel was quite popular during the early to mid-20th century in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were 7 births with the name Athel in 1912, and this number continued to fluctuate over the years.
The highest number of births occurred between 1915 and 1918, with a peak of 15 births each year for both 1917 and 1918. This suggests that during these years, there was a significant trend in naming babies Athel.
However, after the mid-1930s, the popularity of the name began to decline, with fewer than 10 births per year from 1935 onwards. The lowest point was reached in 1941 and 1952, with only 5 births each year.
Overall, there were a total of 298 babies named Athel born in the United States throughout these years. While the name may not have been consistently popular throughout the entire period, it did experience periods of relative popularity during the early to mid-20th century.