Atlas

At a Glance

Meaning

Possibly 'the enduring one' (disputed, may be pre-Greek with no recoverable meaning)

Origin

Greek (possibly pre-Greek substrate)

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

AT-lussListen

Atlas (pronounced AT-luss) comes from Greek, though it may be older still, rooted in a language that came before Greek. You may have heard it's said to mean 'bearer of the heavens' or 'the one who carries the world' — that's the old myth talking, not a settled translation, since scholars are actually divided between 'the enduring one' and a root so old its meaning can't be recovered. It works for a child of any gender and has an old-fashioned, vintage feel to it.

Meaning & Origin of Atlas

Meaning: Possibly 'the enduring one' (disputed, may be pre-Greek with no recoverable meaning).

Origin: Greek (possibly pre-Greek substrate).

A common claim: Atlas is popularly said to mean 'bearer of the heavens' or 'the one who carries the world.' Actually: That reflects the myth (Atlas was condemned to hold up the sky), not a confirmed translation — the name's actual etymology is disputed between 'the enduring one' and an unrecoverable pre-Greek origin.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Atlas

Popularity of Atlas

In 2024, Atlas ranked #101 among U.S. baby names with 3,417 babies given the name — its highest rank on record, so right now it's at its most popular point since Social Security started tracking names back in 1883.

Names Like Atlas

These names share Atlas’s style, era or origin.

• Alex
• Onyx
• Paris
• Alexander
• Barbara
• Catherine

FAQ

What does the name Atlas mean?

Possibly ‘the enduring one’ (disputed, may be pre-Greek with no recoverable meaning). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Atlas?

Atlas is pronounced AT-luss (IPA: /ˈætləs/).

Is Atlas a popular name right now?

Atlas is at its highest recorded popularity right now, ranked #101 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1883–2024.)

Make Atlas Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Atlas, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.