"to carry, to endure"
Atlas
Pronunciation: [ ATL-uhs ]
Does Atlas flow with your last name?
The Titan who holds up the world, now holding up in the charts
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Atlas
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"titan who bore the heavens"
"to carry, to endure"
"he who carries the heavens"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Atlas
Atlas comes from the Ancient Greek verb tlao meaning to carry or to endure, with the prefix a- intensifying the meaning. In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan condemned by Zeus to hold up the celestial heavens on his shoulders for eternity after the Titans lost their war with the Olympian gods. His name became synonymous with strength and endurance. Gerardus Mercator first used Atlas as the title for a bound collection of maps in 1595.
Atlas has been rising rapidly in the US since 2010, driven by a broader trend toward mythology-inspired names like Orion, Titan, and Phoenix. It entered the top 100 for boys around 2020 and continues climbing as parents seek powerful names that evoke strength and global worldliness.
Atlas carries enormous cultural resonance as both a mythological figure and a universal symbol of strength and knowledge. Every atlas book of maps takes its name from this Titan, connecting the name to geography, exploration, and human knowledge. Ayn Rands Atlas Shrugged added philosophical weight.
Historical Record
Atlas first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 21,002 babies have been named Atlas in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Atlas is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #101 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Every book of maps called an atlas takes its name from the myth of Atlas holding the heavens
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (1957) is one of the most influential novels in American libertarian thought
- Elon Musk and Talulah Riley named their twin sons Griffin and Xavier; Atlas is used by other celebrities
Atlas in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Atlas
Atlas Genius
Musician
1985
Australian indie rock band whose name evokes the grandeur and epic scope associated with the mythological figure
Charles Atlas
Athlete
1892
Italian-American bodybuilder who built a mail-order fitness empire, known as the most perfectly developed man
Atlas Shrugged
Writer
The central character of Ayn Rand's 1957 novel who represents the ideal of individual strength and perseverance
Atlas (Greek Titan) Fictional
Other
Titan of Greek mythology condemned to hold up the celestial heavens, symbol of strength and endurance
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Compare Atlas with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #101
- Total SSA Count
- 3,417
- Cultural Origins
- Greek American European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Atlas
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Atlas is also used as a girl name, ranked #1422.
View Atlas as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
See all Greek names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Atlas
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View all →American English origin
"from the Stetson hat-making family"
#155 in US
Greek origin
"manly, brave"
#197 in US
Hebrew origin
"the Lord is my God"
#25 in US
Modern English origin
"jet black; speed"
#161 in US
Hebrew origin
"God is gracious (via John, Jack)"
#35 in US
Irish Gaelic origin
"little king; descendant of the king"
#87 in US
Greek theos origin
"divine"
#80 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Atlas
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About the Name Atlas
Atlas is a boy name with Greek, American, and European origins . The name means "to carry, to endure" in Greek .
Is Atlas a boy or girl name? Atlas is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #101 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,422. Atlas is more commonly used as a boy name.
Atlas is currently ranked #101 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Atlas has 2 syllables and is pronounced ATL-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Atlas include Atl, Aty, Atie, and Atlkins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
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Baby Name Wizard
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis