Alternatives to Athena

Aphaea

Greek

A minor Greek goddess of fertility and agriculture. The name is also seen spelled as Aphaia.

Aphrodite

Greek mythology name

"foam or born from the sea"

The name of the Greek goddess of love has rarely descended to mortal use, though the Roman equivalent Venus, thanks to tennis star Williams, now seems completely possible. But with the new fashion…

Arachne

Greek

"spider"

In Greek mythology, Arachne was a woman who bested Athena in a weaving competition. She later killed herself from the shame, but Athena reincarnated Arachne as a spider.

Arcadia

Greek

"region offering peace and contentment"

Arcadia, a name for an unspoiled paradise, makes an attractive secular alternative to Nevaeh or Eden. For parents who want an unusual name with a friendlier nickname, Arcadia has the advantage of…

Aretha

Greek

"virtuous"

There's still only one.

Ariadne

Greek

"most holy"

This name of the Cretan goddess of fertility is most popular now as the more melodic Ariana, but Ariadne has possibilities of its own. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. The renewed interest…

Artemis

Greek mythology

"safe; butcher"

Artemis, one of the key figures of the female Greek pantheon, is the ancient virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, childbirth, and a protector of young girls, later associated with the…

Artemisia

Greek, variation of Artemis

You might think Artemisia is the feminine form of the name, but in fact the original Artemis is feminine too, the name of the Greek mythological goddess of the moon. Artemisia Gentileschi was an…

Arthelia

Arthelia is a feminine name of Greek origin, likely derived from 'Arthel' with the feminine suffix '-ia' added. It may relate to the Greek word 'artios' meaning 'complete' or 'perfect.' This uncommon…

Asteria

Greek

"star"

Asteria is an Anglicized spelling of the Greek Astraea or Astraia, the goddess of justice and innocence. She became the constellation Virgo, so all forms of this name would be especially appropriate…

Astraea

Greek

"of the stars"

Astraea —also found as Astraia — is the Greek goddess of justice and innocence who left earth to become the constellation Virgo after she grew unhappy with the state of humanity. She was prophesised…

Atenea

Spanish

"goddess of wisdom"

Spanish and Asturian variant of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.

Atha

Atha is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural roots. It may derive from Greek origins meaning 'again' or 'back,' suggesting renewal. In Sanskrit traditions, Atha can mean 'beginning' or…

Athalee

Athalee is a feminine name of American origin, likely developed as a variation of Athalie or possibly derived from the Greek name Athalia, meaning 'God is exalted.' The name has a melodic, flowing…

Athalia

Hebrew

"the Lord is exalted"

Athalia was an Old Testament daughter of Jezebel and a king's powerful wife with a gory history. You don't wanna know -- and you probably don't wanna name your kid after her either. Pretty name,…

Athalie

Hebrew and French

"God is praised"

An interesting cousin of Natalie (the 'h' is silent) found in the Louisiana Cajun community, Athalie is the name of a tragedy by classic French playwright Racine.

Athanasia

Greek

"immortal"

A feminine form of Athanasius, a name that literally translates to "undying" or "not dying" from Ancient Greek. ah-thah-nah-SEE-ah would be the Greek pronunciation but ath-ah-NAY-sha or…

Athenais

Athenais is a rare feminine name with classical Greek origins. It derives from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength,…

Athene

Athene is a feminine name derived from Greek mythology, where Athena was the goddess of wisdom, courage, strategic warfare, and crafts. This variant spelling offers a slightly softer pronunciation…

Athens

Greek place name

Athens the city takes its name from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and courage. If you prefer place names to mythological names and like gender neutral names better than those that are gender…