Athens

Greek goddess of wisdom, skill in the arts, righteous warfare, etc., from Latin Athena, from Greek Athēnē, name of a common Greek goddess, dating to Minoan times, depicted with a snake and protecting the palace. "Like the goddess itself, the name is pre-Greek" [Beekes]. Identified by the Romans with their Minerva.

1520s, "native or inhabitant of Athens;" see Athens + -ian. From 1580s as an adjective, "pertaining to Athens." Old English had Atheniense (plural noun), from Latin Atheniensis.

"region around Athens," traditionally explained as from Greek Attikos (Latin Atticus) "of Athens" (see Athens), which is supported by Beekes. An alternative guess is that it is ultimately from Greek aktē "shore, maritime place," also "raised place."