Atlee is a unique and uncommon given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname "Atley," which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Athaile" or "Athail." The meaning behind this name is believed to be associated with the Gaelic word "athall," which translates to "fair" or "beautiful."
The name Atlee has a rich history, dating back to medieval Scotland. It was originally a surname given to people who lived near a fair or beautiful place. Over time, it evolved into a given name and became more widely used in the 19th century.
Despite its Scottish origins, the name Atlee is not particularly common in Scotland today. However, it has gained some popularity as a given name in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States.
In literature, one notable figure with the surname Atlee was William Atlee, a character in Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." This may have contributed to the name's recognition and usage outside of Scotland.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Atlee has seen a varied trend of popularity over the past century in the United States.
The earliest data available begins in 1911 with 9 births. The number of babies named Atlee fluctuated between 6 and 17 births per year until the late 1940s, with no clear upward or downward trend during this period.
From 1946 to 1982, the name's popularity seemed to oscillate around an average of about 10 births per year. There were notable spikes in popularity, such as a high of 14 births in 1982 and another peak of 16 births in both 1986 and 1988.
Starting from the late 1980s, there has been a consistent upward trend in the number of babies named Atlee. From 1990 onwards, the number of yearly births with this name increased steadily, reaching a peak of 38 births in 2022. This long-term increase suggests that the name Atlee is gaining traction and becoming more popular among parents in recent years.
In total, over the past century (from 1911 to 2023), there have been 1,328 babies named Atlee born in the United States.