Atlas
Titan condemned to hold up the celestial spheres
Atlas is a figure from ancient Greek mythology, one of the Titans who played a significant role in the titanomachy—the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods. Following the Titans' defeat, Atlas was condemned by Zeus to bear the weight of the celestial spheres on his shoulders as eternal punishment. He became the personification of strength and endurance, and his image—often depicted as a muscular male figure supporting a globe—has become iconic in Western art and culture. The name Atlas became synonymous with compilations of maps (atlases) because of Gerardus Mercator's 16th-century use of the Titan's image on his map collections. In modern culture, Atlas has been invoked in philosophy, literature, and popular culture as a symbol of burden-bearing responsibility and human endeavor against cosmic odds.
Fictional Character
Greek
Greek Mythology
Thinking about the name
Atlas
Greek origin
“From Greek mythology, Atlas was the Titan condemned to hold the heavens on his shoulders—a name symbolizing strength, burden, duty, and enduring power. Modern parents choosing Atlas appreciate its classical roots, single-syllable punch, and the metaphorical weight of someone who carries the world.”