Holding steady.
Popularity of Parthena since 1884
Babies named Parthena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Parthena's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 10 |
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 29 |
| 1920s | 15 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 14 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Parthena is a rare feminine name with a storied classical pedigree, tracing back to the Greek word for "maiden" and the epithet of Athena Parthenos. In the United States, the name first appeared in Social Security data in 1884, the same year it reached its peak (if only by default), and it has never cracked the top 1,000. Its trajectory has been flat for decades, with few to no recorded births in recent years. The name has no strong association with any state or region, as it has always been exceedingly uncommon. Parthena offers a direct link to ancient Greek culture, though its rarity means it carries no modern statistical baggage.
Parthena is a feminine name derived from the Greek word "parthenos" (παρθένος), meaning "maiden" or "virgin." It is directly connected to the ancient Greek epithet "Parthenos," used for the goddess Athena in her role as the virgin guardian of Athens. The name appears in classical texts and was occasionally used in English-speaking countries from the 19th century, though it has always been rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Parthie, Parthy, Thena
Variants: Parthenia
Sibling names for Parthena
Names that share Parthena's style, for a brother or sister.
