The baby name Athol is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced ATH-uhl (/ˈæθəl/).
Athol is Scottish in Origin.
The baby name Athol is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced ATH-uhl (/ˈæθəl/).
Athol is Scottish in Origin.
Athol is a Scottish masculine name taken from Atholl, a historic Highland district and noble title in Perthshire. Its Gaelic form Athall is often traced to Old Irish Ath Fhothla, interpreted as "another" or "new Ireland," with Fotla a poetic name for Ireland; this toponymic sense underlies the modern given name. Folk explanations such as "ford" are less secure etymologically.
As a forename, Athol emerged in the 19th century, favored by Scots and the wider diaspora who honored the Dukes of Atholl. It gained particular currency in South Africa and Australasia (for example, playwright Athol Fugard and singer Athol Guy). Usage has declined and is now uncommon. Variant spellings include Atholl (closest to the place-name) and the rarer Athole; feminine forms are scarce. The meaning is best rendered "from Atholl" or, by extension, "new/other Ireland."
| Athol Fugard Athol Fugard is a South African playwright and actor, best known for his powerful plays that address the social and political issues of apartheid. His notable works include 'Master Harold...and the Boys' and 'The Road to Mecca'. Born in 1932, Fugard's contributions to theater have left a lasting impact on both South African and global stages. |
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QA | 0 | #106 | 1 | 7,011 | |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #288 | 6 | 6,876 |
| SA | 0 | #312 | 1 | 10,560 | |
| MU | Boys | 0 | #369 | 1 | 8,477 |
| PT | Boys | 0 | #381 | 1 | 7,951 |
| OM | Girls | 0 | #424 | 1 | 15,987 |
| ZA | 0 | #467 | 8 | 14,421 | |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #557 | 1 | 12,905 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #742 | 2 | 18,093 |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #1,014 | 1 | 25,931 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,098 | 81 | 25,619 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,142 | 2 | 22,615 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,236 | 1 | 25,928 |
Athol is popular in 9 countries — most recent births per country:
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!