Atari

♂ Boy

Pronounced ah-TAR-ee /ɑːˈtɑːr.i/Medium

Meaning: Atari is a Japanese term from the board game Go, marking a stone one move from capture; it became world-famous as the name of the video-game company Atari. As a given name it is a modern, culture-referencing pick whose route is uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A name with a gaming echo: Atari is a Go term and the famous video-game brand (said 'ah-TAR-ee'). Its route as a name is uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowJapanese

MeaningAtari is a Japanese term from the board game Go, marking a stone one move from capture; it became world-famous as the name of the video-game company Atari. As a given name it is a modern, culture-referencing pick whose route is uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#12475 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1982

Total births (all-time)≈ 90

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Atari is a Japanese word from the game of Go, and far more famously the name of the pioneering video-game company. As a personal name it reads as a modern culture-reference; its route is uncertain, which we note (said 'ah-TAR-ee').

As a given name it appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, brand-flavored, and playful.

Did you know? Atari began as a Japanese Go term — a warning that a stone is about to be captured — before becoming the name of the legendary video-game company. As a given name it is a modern, playful pick whose route is uncertain, which we note (said 'ah-TAR-ee').

Overall data confidence 38%

References — Atari — Japanese Go term / game company; routes uncertain as name

Variations

Atarih

Nicknames

AtaAri

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Atari…

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Atticus— a like At- opening

Amari— a like -ri ending in sound

Explore names like Atari

By themeuncertain modern japanese pop-culture

By meaningGift / Blessing Rock / Stone

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Atari mean?

Atari is a Japanese Go term (a stone about to be captured), best known as the video-game company; as a name its route is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Atari?

It's said ah-TAR-ee /ɑːˈtɑːr.i/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Atari a boy or girl name?

Atari is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Atari?

Atari is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.