Atanasije

Atanasije (Cyrillic Атанасије) is the Serbian form of the Greek boy's name Athanasios (Αθανάσιος) and translates to 'the immortal.'

What does the name Atanasije mean?

Atanasije (Cyrillic Атанасије) is the Serbian variant of the Greek name Athanasios (Αθανάσιος), which means 'the immortal' in German. The origin of the name lies in ancient Greek, where it is derived from the elements a- (α-), a negative prefix, and thánatos (θάνατος), meaning 'to die, death, corpse.' This combination results in the word a-thánatos (αθάνατος), which means 'immortal.' The first name is primarily used in the Serbian-speaking region. There are numerous variants, including Athanasius (Latin), Atanas (Bulgarian and Macedonian), Athanase (French), Atanasio (Italian and Spanish), Atanasij (Macedonian), Atanazy (Polish), Atanase and Atanasie (Romanian), as well as Afanasij and Afanasy (Russian) and Tanush (Albanian). Female forms include Athanasia, Athanassia, Atanasija (Macedonian and Serbian), as well as Afanasia and Afanasiia (Russian).

Where does the name Atanasije come from?

The first name Atanasije has its roots in ancient Greek and carries the meaning 'the immortal.' The word components consist of ἀ-, a negative prefix indicating the absence of something, and thánatos, meaning 'to die, death, corpse.' In combination, it forms a-thánatos, meaning 'immortal' or 'eternal.' The name is primarily used in Serbian.

How do you pronounce Atanasije?

The pronunciation of Atanasije is five to six syllables and is characterized by a high vowel content. In German, it is usually pronounced as 'A-ta-na-si-je' [a.ta.naˈziː.jɛ], resulting in many open syllables. This even structure creates a soft, flowing sound with calm dynamics. Overall, the name Atanasije conveys a harmonious, sonorous presence that feels soft, elegant, and cultivated.

When is the name day of Atanasije?

The name day of Atanasije is celebrated on May 2. In the Orthodox Church, the memorial day is also observed on January 18.

Popularity

In Germany, Atanasije is among the rarer first names. In 2017, it was ranked 3,867th among the most common male baby names. Over the past ten years, Atanasije has been given less than ten times, placing it 8,008th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 9,767th. An overview of Atanasije's rankings in other countries is also available, with these data being officially recorded.

Famous people

• Atanasije I. (Patriarch of Peć)
• Atanasije II. Gavrilović (Patriarch of Peć)