Athanase

Athanase is a masculine given name used in French and other European languages. It is the French form of the Greek name Athanasios, from a- meaning "not" and thanatos meaning "death," with the approximate meaning "immortal" or "undying." The name has historical resonance in Christian tradition through Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, a 4th-century bishop and leading theologian who played a key role in early Christological debates; he is venerated as a Doctor of the Church in Western Christianity. In French-speaking regions, Athanase has been in use since the Middle Ages and persists in modern times.

Variations of the name include Athanasios (Greek), Athanasio (Italian), and Athanasius (Latin/English), among others. The form Athanase is most common in France, Belgium, and other Francophone communities, where it can appear in full form or as part of compound names.

The name is primarily historical and religiously rooted, though it occasionally appears in contemporary usage. In onomastic references, Athanase is categorized among classic European biblical and historical given names and is often associated with clergy, scholarship, or French cultural history due to its ecclesiastical associations. The name’s resonance with immortality has also influenced its reception in literature and character naming, even as its everyday usage remains relatively uncommon in many modern contexts.