Athel
Tamarix aphylla is the largest known species of Tamarix, with heights up to 18 metres (59 ft). The species has a variety of common names, including Athel tamarisk, Athel tree, and Athel pine. It is an evergreen tree, native across North, East, and Central Africa, through the Middle East, and into parts of Western and Southern Asia.
Meaning & Origin of Athel
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Tamarix aphylla is the largest known species of Tamarix, with heights up to 18 metres (59 ft). The species has a variety of common names, including Athel tamarisk, Athel tree, and Athel pine. It is an evergreen tree, native across North, East, and Central Africa, through the Middle East, and into parts of Western and Southern Asia.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Origin & history
The Story of Athel
As a girl name
Athel first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a girl name in 1919, with 6 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1921, when 7 Athels were born — ranking #4,023 that year. As of 2026, Athel ranks #4,421 for girls with 5 births, with steady use. In total, more than 36 Athels have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1910s through the 2020s.
As a boy name
Athel first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a boy name in 1912, with 7 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1917, when 15 Athels were born — ranking #1,986 that year. As of 2026, Athel ranks #3,734 for boys with 5 births, with steady use. In total, more than 298 Athels have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1910s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Athel
Phonetically similar names — useful when Athel is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Athel
What does the name Athel mean?
How popular is Athel in 2026?
When was Athel most popular?
In which U.S. states is Athel most popular?
Is Athel a unisex name?
What names go well with Athel?
About the name Athel
Athel is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1912 and has accumulated 298 births in the dataset. Athel's peak popularity came in 1917 when it ranked #1,986. Use the chart and map above to compare Athel's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 1917 →
- Names of the 1910s →
- Names starting with "A" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.