There are at least 21 places named Athens in the world today, though the exact count shifts as settlements are renamed or incorporated. The most famous is Athens, Greece, the capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, but dozens of smaller towns, townships, and communities across the United States, Canada, and elsewhere share the name.
The Original Athens: Greece
The original Athens (Athína in Greek) has been inhabited for over 3,000 years, with recorded history stretching back to around 1400 BC. It was a powerful city-state in classical antiquity, often called the cradle of Western civilization because of its contributions to philosophy, democracy, drama, and art. The city is named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, who, according to myth, won a contest against Poseidon to become its patron deity. Today, Athens, Greece, is a bustling metropolis of about 3 million people in its metropolitan area, blending ancient landmarks like the Acropolis and Parthenon with a modern European capital.
How Many Athens Are There in the United States?
The United States has the largest number of places named Athens—at least 19 by most counts. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names lists several incorporated cities, unincorporated communities, and townships with the name. Some of the most notable include:
- Athens, Georgia – a college town home to the University of Georgia, often called the classic Athens.
- Athens, Ohio – a small city in the Appalachian foothills, home to Ohio University.
- Athens, Alabama – a city in the northern part of the state, founded in 1818.
- Athens, Tennessee – a city in the eastern part of the state, known for its historic downtown.
- Athens, Texas – a small city in the eastern part of the state, near Lake Athens.
- Athens, West Virginia – a town in Mercer County, home to Concord University.
There are also townships named Athens in states like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Many of these were named by early settlers who admired Greek democracy or had studied classical literature.
Athens in Other Countries
Outside the U.S., Athens appears in a few other countries:
- Athens, Ontario, Canada – a small village in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
- Athens, Barbados – a populated place in the parish of Saint George.
- Athens, Costa Rica – a district in the canton of Alajuela, though the name is often spelled Atenas.
- Athens, Cyprus – a small village in the Larnaca District, though it is often transliterated as Athienou.
There is also a town called Athens in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, though it is officially a barrio (neighborhood) in the municipality of Naguabo. The name has also been used historically for settlements that have since been renamed or abandoned, so the total number can vary depending on what counts as a “place.”
Why So Many Athens? The Naming Craze
The proliferation of Athens in the U.S. is largely due to a 19th-century fashion for classical names. After the American Revolution, many founders wanted to associate the new republic with the democratic ideals of ancient Greece. Athens, along with Sparta, Corinth, and Troy, became popular names for towns and townships. The U.S. postal system also encouraged unique names, but since many towns were in different states, the duplication was allowed. Some Athens were named directly after the Greek city, while others were named after earlier American Athens, like Athens, Georgia, which in turn was named after the Greek original.
Athens vs. Athens: Common Confusions
Because there are so many Athens, confusion is common. For example, the Athens in Greece is often referred to simply as “Athens” in English, but in Greek it is “Athína” (Αθήνα). The American Athens are almost always pronounced with a long “e” sound (ATH-eens), whereas the Greek city is pronounced with a short “a” (AH-theens) in English. In the U.S., there is also a city named Athens in every state that has a county named Athens, but not all states have such a county. If you are mailing something to Athens, you always need the state or country code to avoid it going to the wrong place.
How to Choose Which Athens You Mean
When referring to Athens, context is everything. If you are talking about history, philosophy, or the Acropolis, you almost certainly mean Athens, Greece. If you are talking about a college town in the U.S., you might mean Athens, Georgia or Athens, Ohio. In everyday conversation, “Athens” without a qualifier usually means the Greek capital, but in local contexts, it can mean the nearest American Athens. For travel or shipping, always include the country or state. For example, “Athens, Greece” vs. “Athens, Georgia” vs. “Athens, Texas.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an Athens in every state?
No, there is not an Athens in every U.S. state. According to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, there are Athens in about 19 states, but many states have no place named Athens at all. The name is most common in the eastern and midwestern states, reflecting early settlement patterns.
What is the largest Athens besides the one in Greece?
The largest Athens in the U.S. is Athens, Georgia, with a metropolitan population of over 200,000, largely due to the University of Georgia. Athens, Ohio, is much smaller, with around 25,000 residents. No other Athens outside Greece comes close to the size of the Greek capital.
Are there any Athens in Europe besides Greece?
There is no other major city named Athens in Europe, but there are small villages and districts with similar names, such as Athienou in Cyprus and Athina in Greece (which is the same city). The name is not common elsewhere in Europe because it is strongly associated with the Greek capital.
Why is Athens, Georgia, so well known?
Athens, Georgia, is famous for being the home of the University of Georgia, the flagship public university of the state, and for its vibrant music scene, which produced bands like R.E.M. and the B-52s. It is often called the “Classic City” and has a large historic district.
Do all Athens have an Acropolis?
No, only the original Athens in Greece has the Acropolis, the ancient citadel with the Parthenon. American Athens are modern towns with no ancient ruins, though some have built replicas or named streets after Greek landmarks.
How do I know which Athens is being talked about in a book or article?
Look for context clues. If the text mentions the Mediterranean, Greek islands, or ancient history, it is Greece. If it mentions a U.S. state, a university, or a county, it is an American Athens. When in doubt, check for a country or state abbreviation.
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