What Does the Name Athaliah Mean?
Athaliah combines a Hebrew element related to exaltation with yah, a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh, giving the meaning "Yahweh is exalted" or "the Lord is exalted."
The Origin & History of Athaliah
The Bible's Athaliah was a daughter of King Ahab of Israel who married into the royal house of Judah and, per 2 Kings 11, seized the throne after her son's death — becoming the only woman to rule Judah in her own right before her downfall seven years later. Her story is one of the Old Testament's rare accounts centered on a female monarch.
Personality & Traits
Athaliah projects strength and authority — a name for a child destined to command a room, drawn from one of Scripture's most formidable and controversial women.
Cultural Reach
Athaliah's story has been retold across biblical commentary, art, and Jean Racine's 17th-century tragedy "Athalie," keeping the name alive well beyond religious contexts.
Popularity Over Time
Athaliah has more than doubled in the US, rising from 28 recorded births in 2023 to 65 in 2024, part of a broader trend toward bold, historically rooted Biblical names.
Nicknames & Variations
Related spellings include Athalia and Athalya. Shortened forms like Alia, Thalia, and Ali all work as everyday nicknames.