Athan
Perhaps from Nathan, via rebracketing of "my Nathan" as "mine Athan"; compare Ned, derived from Ed via rebracketing in the opposite direction.
Every Athan since 1917 — 2,173 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Athan
Athan is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,678 in 2025 with 48 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1917, 2,173 American babies have been named Athan. Its peak came in 2012, when 123 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Athan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Athan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 48 | #2,678 |
| 2024 | 61 | #2,315 |
| 2023 | 73 | #2,050 |
| 2022 | 63 | #2,271 |
| 2021 | 62 | #2,255 |
| 2020 | 59 | #2,295 |
| 2019 | 68 | #2,111 |
| 2018 | 62 | #2,212 |
| 2017 | 83 | #1,809 |
| 2016 | 90 | #1,724 |
| 2015 | 90 | #1,718 |
| 2014 | 101 | #1,565 |
| 2013 | 105 | #1,529 |
| 2012 | 123 | #1,367 |
| 2011 | 109 | #1,485 |
| 2010 | 104 | #1,543 |
| 2009 | 104 | #1,562 |
| 2008 | 95 | #1,633 |
| 2007 | 77 | #1,862 |
| 2006 | 83 | #1,698 |
| 2005 | 55 | #2,185 |
| 2004 | 46 | #2,423 |
| 2003 | 39 | #2,581 |
| 2002 | 32 | #2,889 |
| 2001 | 28 | #3,149 |
| 2000 | 38 | #2,480 |
| 1995 | 9 | #5,958 |
| 1990 | 5 | #8,202 |
| 1985 | 13 | #3,420 |
| 1980 | 10 | #3,860 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Athan mean?
Perhaps from Nathan, via rebracketing of "my Nathan" as "mine Athan"; compare Ned, derived from Ed via rebracketing in the opposite direction.
How popular is the name Athan in 2025?
Athan ranked #2,678 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 48 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Athan?
2,173 babies have been named Athan in the United States since 1917, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Athan most popular?
Athan peaked in 2012, when 123 newborns received the name.
Is Athan a boy or girl name?
Athan is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Athan rising or falling?
Athan is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.