The name Atari is of Japanese origin and has a unique history behind it. It was coined by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney in 1972 for their newly formed company, Atari Inc., which would go on to become a pioneer in the video game industry.
The name Atari itself does not have a specific meaning or translation in Japanese. Instead, it is believed to be a blend of two words: "Ata" and "Rii," with "Ata" meaning "to hit" and "Rii" being a verb ending that signifies continuity or repetition. Thus, the name Atari can be interpreted as "to keep hitting."
However, Nolan Bushnell has also stated that he simply liked how the name sounded and felt it was memorable, which contributed to his decision in choosing it for the company.
The company Atari gained significant popularity with its iconic game Pong, which became a massive success in arcades. Atari continued to innovate in the video game industry, releasing notable titles like Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Adventure. The name Atari became synonymous with video games during this era.
In conclusion, while Atari does not have a specific meaning or traditional origin, it has become an iconic name in popular culture due to its association with the pioneering company that helped shape the video game industry.
The name Atari experienced a surge in popularity during the early 1980s, with a total of 30 babies named Atari between 1980 and 1982. However, its usage has been sporadic since then, with only occasional appearances from 2006 onwards, culminating in another 5 births in 2023. Overall, there have been 53 children named Atari over the years.