Athena vs Maria

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Athena

Girl #90 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"sharp, keen, praise"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

Greek American Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#90
Total SSA Count
2,788
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Thena, Athy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Athena →

Maria

Girl #74 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"drop of the sea, star of the sea"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Spanish Italian Portuguese German Polish Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#74
Total SSA Count
3,105
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mari, Ria, Mia

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maria →

Popularity Comparison

Athena Rank #90
Maria Rank #74

Maria is more popular, ranked #74 vs #90 for Athena.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Athena ___

  • Athena Rose
  • Athena Grace
  • Athena Jane
  • Athena Marie
  • Athena Claire
  • Athena Joy

Maria ___

  • Maria Elena
  • Maria Theresa
  • Maria Lucia
  • Maria Isabelle
  • Maria Christina
  • Maria Celeste

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Athena

Apollo Artemis Penelope Helena Orion

If you choose Maria

Elena Lucia Isabella Carlos Diego

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Athena or Maria more popular?

Maria is more popular, ranked #74 compared to Athena at #90 in the United States.

What do Athena and Maria mean?

Athena means "sharp, keen, praise" (Greek origin). Maria means "drop of the sea, star of the sea" (Latin origin).

Are Athena and Maria boy or girl names?

Athena is primarily a girl name. Maria is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Athena ← Full profile: Maria Browse all baby names