Attila

a-TILL-uh; AW-teel-law
Hungarian
"little father"

Attila Origin and Meaning

The name Attila is a boy's name of Hungarian, Turkish origin meaning "little father".

English speaking countries may only associate this with the fifth-century Hun, but the name is still well-used in contemporary Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.

Usually said to derive from the Gothic word atta meaning "father", other sources suggest Attila might also have Turkic etymology. Theories include that it comes from the Turkic elements as and til meaning "the oceanic ruler"; that it derives from the word atli meaning "cavalry" or " horseman"; or, that it is borrowed from an old name for the Volga River in Russia, once known as Atil or Itil.

Other name sakes include tennis player Attila Balázs, ice dancer Attila Elek, and the metal band Attila.

Attila Popularity

Famous People Named Attila

  • Tyger Attila Turrentine (b. 2011)
    son of actress Reagan Gomez,Preston and model DeWayne Turrentine
  • Attila "Atz" Kilcher
    reality TV star on "Alaska: The Last Frontier"; father of Jewel and Atz Lee

Attila in Pop Culture

  • Attila
    American Deathcore Band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2005
  • Attila Rees
    police constable in Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas
  • Attila
    Oz's pet chimp in the James Patterson novel "Zoo"