"from Attica, man of Athens"
Origin: Latin from Greek
Language: Latin
Atticus
Pronunciation: [ AT-ihk-uhs ]
Does Atticus flow with your last name?
Named for fiction's greatest moral hero — a name with a mission
English
American
classical
Literary
Sophisticated
Strong
Classic
Intellectual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Atticus
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Atticus
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Atticus
See all →What the Atticus report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Atticus the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Atticus
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Atticus head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Atticus actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Atticus Finch appears in a more morally compromised light in Harper Lee's posthumously published Go Set a Watchman (2015) — some readers consider this a recontextualization of the original character
The Story of Atticus
Atticus is a Latin adjective meaning from Attica or man of Athens, derived from the Greek Attikos. Attica was the region of ancient Greece surrounding Athens, and the Attic dialect of Greek became the basis for classical Greek literature and philosophy. The name was borne by T. Pomponius Atticus (110-32 BCE), the influential Roman publisher, literary patron, and close friend of Cicero, who earned his cognomen by living for years in Athens.
Atticus surged in the US after 2015, driven by the 50th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird and the publication of Go Set a Watchman. Parents who admired Atticus Finch's moral courage embraced the name as a statement of values. It appeals to literary families seeking a classical name with a clear hero attached to it. Atticus Ross's Oscar wins also kept the name in cultural circulation.
Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) is consistently voted one of the greatest fictional heroes in American literature. His defense of Tom Robinson in the Jim Crow South made his name synonymous with moral courage, principled lawyering, and the willingness to stand against injustice. Naming a child Atticus is a clear signal of literary and moral values.
Historical Record
Atticus first appeared in US Social Security records in 1969.
Over 17,097 babies have been named Atticus in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Atticus is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #277 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- T. Pomponius Atticus stayed out of Roman politics entirely, which is how he lived to 77 in an era when political life was extremely dangerous
- Atticus Finch was named the greatest fictional hero of the 20th century by the American Film Institute in 2003
- Atticus Ross won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for both The Social Network (2010) and Soul (2020)
Atticus in Other Languages
Greek
Attikos
Latin
Atticus
French
Atticus
Italian
Attico
Spanish
Atico
Popularity Over Time
#277
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Atticus
A
Atticus Ross
Musician
1968
British musician and two-time Academy Award winner for film scores including The Social Network and Soul
T
T. Pomponius Atticus
Other
Roman publisher, literary patron, and close friend of Cicero (110-32 BCE) who spent years in Athens and was the first pe...
Roman publisher, literary patron, and close friend of Cicero (110-32 BCE) who spent years in Athens and was the first person to use Atticus as a Roman cognomen
A
Atticus Finch Fictional
Other
Protagonist and moral hero of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), a small-town Alabama lawyer who defends a Black...
Protagonist and moral hero of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), a small-town Alabama lawyer who defends a Black man falsely accused of rape
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #277
- Total SSA Count
- 1,223
- Cultural Origins
- English American classical
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Atti
Cus
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Atticus
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Atticus fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Atticus is also used as a girl name, ranked #19653.
View Atticus as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Atticus →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Atticus with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Atticus
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Atticus and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Atticus sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Connor
Boy
Irish origin
"strong-willed, wise"
#136 in US
Tyler
Boy
Old French origin
"house builder, craftsman"
#191 in US
Parker
Boy
Middle English origin
"keeper of the game preserve"
#97 in US
Wells
Boy
English locational origin
"from Wells, Somerset"
#377 in US
River
Boy
Latin origin
"riverbank, shore"
#112 in US
Ryder
Boy
Middle English origin
"mounted warrior, horseman"
#134 in US
Edgar
Boy
Old English origin
"rich spear, lucky warrior"
#460 in US
Bryce
Boy
Gaulish/Celtic origin
"speckled, freckled"
#297 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Atticus's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Atticus
What does the name Atticus mean?
"from Attica, man of Athens" (from Latin from Greek). Atticus is a Latin adjective meaning from Attica or man of Athens, derived from the Greek Attikos. Attica was the region of ancient Greece surrounding Athens, and the Attic dialect of Greek became the basis for classical Greek literature and philosophy. The name was borne by T. Pomponius Atticus (110-32 BCE), the influential Roman publisher, literary patron, and close friend of Cicero, who earned his cognomen by living for years in Athens.
What is the origin of the name Atticus?
Atticus has Latin from Greek, English, American, and classical origins. In Latin from Greek, it means "from Attica, man of Athens".
Is Atticus a boy or girl name?
Atticus is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #277. As a girl name, it is ranked #19653. Atticus is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Atticus?
Atticus is pronounced AT-ihk-uhs.
How popular is the name Atticus?
Atticus is currently ranked #277 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Atticus?
Common nicknames for Atticus include Atti and Cus.
What are good middle names for Atticus?
Popular middle name pairings include Atticus James, Atticus Cole, Atticus Reed, Atticus Grant, Atticus Henry, Atticus Finch, and Atticus Scout.
What are good sibling names for Atticus?
Names that pair well with Atticus as siblings include Scout, Harper, Boo, Josephine, Milo, Adelaide, and Edmund.
How many syllables does Atticus have?
Atticus has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Atticus a common or rare name?
Atticus is a popular name, ranked #277 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Atticus
Atticus is a boy name with English, American, and classical origins . The name means "from Attica, man of Athens" in Latin from Greek .
Is Atticus a boy or girl name? Atticus is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #277 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #19,653. Atticus is more commonly used as a boy name.
Atticus is currently ranked #277 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Atticus has 3 syllables and is pronounced AT-ihk-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Atticus include Atti and Cus. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Latin from Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More boy names like Atticus
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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