Attila

The name Attila is a common boy's name in Hungarian and Turkish regions, tracing back to the Hun king Attila from the 6th century.

What does the name Attila mean?

Attila is a popular masculine first name that frequently appears in Hungarian and Turkish-speaking areas and refers to the Hun king Attila of the 6th century. Translated, it means something like 'the little father,' 'the small father,' or 'the father of the land between the rivers.' The name has its roots in Gothic, derived from the Indo-European and Old Gothic components atha or atta, meaning 'the father,' and ila, a diminutive syllable. Additionally, there is a connection to the Turkish word atlïg, which means 'famous.' Another connection exists with the Volga, whose old name Atil/Itil means 'the great river' and likely comes from the Tatar term Atăl (Атăл). The Hun king was the sole ruler of the area between the Rhine and the Caucasus from 443 to 451. Variants include Atilla (Turkish), Atila, Atillah, Atli, Etele (Hungarian), and Etzel (Old German). A contemporary bearer of the name is the Austrian actor Attila Hörbiger.

Where does the name Attila come from?

The name Attila is a masculine first name with Gothic origins and means 'the little father.' The composition consists of the Gothic word atha or atta, meaning 'the father,' and ila, a diminutive syllable. It is rooted in the languages of Hunnic, Turkish, Hungarian, and Gothic.

How do you pronounce Attila?

The name Attila has a three-syllable and sonorous pronunciation. In German, it is usually pronounced as 'At-ti-la' [ˈatila], starting with an open A sound. The double consonant in the middle of the name gives it additional emphasis and makes it sonically present and striking.

When is the name day of Attila?

Attila is celebrated on January 7 and October 5.

Popularity

In Germany, Attila is among the sought-after first names. Currently, it ranks 1,282nd on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 1977, when it reached 154th place. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 280 times, placing it 1,275th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 1,373rd.

Nicknames & pet names

Athi / Athila / Athy / Ati / Atika / Atti / Attil / Atüla / Mathilde / Till / Tilla

Similar first names

Famous people

• Attila Adorjany (Illustrator)
• Attila Andrusko (Yugoslav footballer)
• Attila Askar (Mathematician from the USA)
• Attila Baumgartner (Hungarian footballer)
• Attila Csihar (Hungarian black metal singer)
• Attila Czene (Swimmer from Hungary)
• Attila Dargay (Hungarian comic artist and film director)
• Attila the Hun (Hun king)
• Attila Dorn (Singer and musician)
• Attila Fiola (Football player from Hungary)
• Attila Forrai (Hungarian football player)
• Attila Gaal (Hungarian archaeologist)
• Attila Garay (Jazz musician from Hungary)
• Attila Hajdu (Hungarian football player)
• Attila Hejazi (Footballer from Iran)
• Attila Hildmann (Turkish cookbook author)
• Attila Hörbiger (Austrian actor)
• Attila Hullam (Hungarian football player)
• Attila Ilhan (Writer)
• Attila József (Poet)