Atticus

Pronunciation: [ AT-ihk-uhs ]

Boy Name #277 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

Named for fiction's greatest moral hero — a name with a mission

English American classical

Literary Sophisticated Strong Classic Intellectual

Meaning & Origin

"from Attica, man of Athens"

Origin: Latin from Greek

Language: Latin

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.

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

Famous People Named Atticus

Atticus Ross

Musician

1968

British musician and two-time Academy Award winner for film scores including The Social Network and Soul

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

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

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

Common Nicknames

Atti Cus

Pairs Well With

Atticus James Atticus Cole Atticus Reed Atticus Grant Atticus Henry Atticus Finch Atticus Scout

Sibling Names

Scout Harper Boo Josephine Milo Adelaide Edmund

Also a Girl Name

Atticus is also used as a girl name, ranked #19653.

View Atticus as a girl name →

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Playground Safety

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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.