Declining since 2019, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Ata since 1979
Babies named Ata per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 36 |
| 2000s | 75 |
| 2010s | 120 |
| 2020s | 63 |
Meaning & origin
The name Ata has been in use in the United States since at least 1979, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its popularity peaked in 2018, but since 2019 it has been on a declining trajectory, reflecting a broader trend away from traditional short names among American parents. In 2025, with a rank of 7,679 and a frequency of 1 in 170,808 boys, it remains a rare but recognizable choice. While not associated with any particular U.S. state, Ata carries deep cultural resonance in Turkish and Arabic communities, where its meanings of 'gift' and 'father' give it a warm, respectful connotation.
Ata is a word meaning 'gift' in Arabic and also appears as a term for 'father' in Turkish. It has been used as a given name in both cultures, with historical significance in Islamic contexts as one of the names of the Prophet Muhammad's companions. In Turkey, it gained further prominence due to its association with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, though the name itself predates him.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Atta
Sibling names for Ata
Names that share Ata's style, for a brother or sister.
