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.
The name Athalia experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 20th century onwards, with an especially steep rise beginning around the year 2000. Between 1915 and 1999, there were fewer than 60 recorded births annually for this name. However, starting in 2000, the number of annual births began to increase dramatically, reaching triple digits in 2020 (43 births) and again in 2021 (59 births), before culminating in a remarkable 84 births in 2023. This trend suggests that Athalia has become increasingly favored as a baby name in recent years.