"afflicted of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Athalia
Pronunciation: [ ayth-AL-ee-uh ]
Girl Name
#2,194 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
4 Syllables
A rare biblical queen's name with theatrical grandeur
Jewish
Christian
Hebrew
Brazilian
Spiritual
Unique
Elegant
Vintage
Bold
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- In the Bible, Athaliah was a murderous queen who killed her own grandchildren to seize the throne of Judah — parents should be aware of this association
The Story of Athalia
Athalia (also spelled Athaliah) is a Hebrew name derived from 'atal' meaning 'afflicted' or from 'el' (God) and 'ya' (Yahweh), giving interpretations ranging from 'God is exalted' to 'Yahweh is great.' It appears in the Old Testament as the name of the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who became a controversial queen of Judah.
Athalia is extremely rare in modern English-speaking countries, making it a genuinely unique choice. It has seen slightly more use in Brazil and among Jewish families who appreciate biblical names. In France, Racine's 1691 tragedy 'Athalie' gave the name literary prestige.
In the Bible, Athaliah was the only woman to rule the Kingdom of Judah (841–835 BC). Jean Racine's 1691 French tragedy 'Athalie' is considered one of the masterpieces of French classical theater. The oratorio Athalia by Handel (1733) further cemented the name in European cultural history.
Fun Facts
- Athaliah was the only woman to rule the Kingdom of Judah, reigning for six years
- Handel composed the oratorio 'Athalia' in 1733, one of his early English-language works
- Jean Racine's 'Athalie' (1691) is considered his masterpiece and was initially banned from public performance
Athalia in Other Languages
Arabic
عثاليا
French
Athalie
Hebrew
עֲתַלְיָה
Spanish
Atalía
Portuguese
Atalia
Famous People Named Athalia
A
Athaliah (biblical queen)
Royalty
Queen of Judah (841–835 BC), daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, who seized the throne after her son's death
A
Athalie (Racine character) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Jean Racine's 1691 masterpiece tragedy 'Athalie,' depicting the biblical queen's downfall
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #2,194
- Total SSA Count
- 86
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Christian Hebrew Brazilian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Thalia
Tali
Lia
Atha
Pairs Well With
Athalia Grace
Athalia Rose
Athalia Marie
Athalia Joy
Athalia Hope
Athalia Claire
Athalia Faith
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Athalia
What does the name Athalia mean?
"afflicted of God" (from Hebrew). Athalia (also spelled Athaliah) is a Hebrew name derived from 'atal' meaning 'afflicted' or from 'el' (God) and 'ya' (Yahweh), giving interpretations ranging from 'God is exalted' to 'Yahweh is great.' It appears in the Old Testament as the name of the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who became a controversial queen of Judah.
What is the origin of the name Athalia?
Athalia has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, and Brazilian origins. In Hebrew, it means "afflicted of God".
Is Athalia a boy or girl name?
Athalia is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Athalia?
Athalia is pronounced ayth-AL-ee-uh.
How popular is the name Athalia?
Athalia is currently ranked #2194 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Athalia?
Common nicknames for Athalia include Thalia, Tali, Lia, and Atha.
What are good middle names for Athalia?
Popular middle name pairings include Athalia Grace, Athalia Rose, Athalia Marie, Athalia Joy, Athalia Hope, Athalia Claire, and Athalia Faith.
What are good sibling names for Athalia?
Names that pair well with Athalia as siblings include Miriam, Esther, Deborah, Ezra, Caleb, Naomi, and Elijah.
How many syllables does Athalia have?
Athalia has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Athalia a common or rare name?
Athalia is an uncommon name, ranked #2194 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Athalia
Athalia is a girl name with Jewish, Christian, Hebrew, and Brazilian origins . The name means "afflicted of God" in Hebrew .
Athalia is currently ranked #2,194 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Athalia has 4 syllables and is pronounced ayth-AL-ee-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Athalia include Thalia, Tali, Lia, and Atha. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Athalia include Athaliah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.