atticus

Atticus is a masculine given name of Latin origin. It derives from Atticus, meaning “from Attica,” the region of ancient Greece that included Athens. In Roman times the name appeared as a cognomen; the best-known bearer is Titus Pomponius Atticus (c. 110–32 BCE), a statesman and confidant of Cicero, whose letters helped shape Roman literary culture. In modern times the name has been revived through literature and media.

Notable people and characters include Atticus Finch, the moral lawyer in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, widely studied in American literature. In contemporary culture, Atticus Shaffer is an American actor known for his role as Brick in The Middle, and Atticus Ross is an English musician and composer who co-created the score for The Social Network and won an Academy Award. There is also Atticus Books, an independent publisher based in North Carolina that specializes in literary fiction.

The name Atticus has a cultural association with thoughtfulness and moral seriousness. While uncommon as a surname, it remains in use as a given name in English-speaking countries and persists in literature and media as a symbol of principled character.