How Atlanta Got Its Name: The Story Behind the City’s Identity
If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are just curious about the city, you’ve probably wondered: Where did the name “Atlanta” come from? The answer connects railroads, politics, and a shift from a frontier settlement to the major Southern city you know today.
This guide walks through how Atlanta got its name, what it was called before, and where you can see reminders of that history around the city.
The Earliest Names: From Terminus to Marthasville
Before Atlanta was “Atlanta,” it had very different names that reflected what the place was used for at the time.
Terminus: A Railroad Outpost
In the 1830s and early 1840s, the area that is now downtown Atlanta was known informally as “Terminus.”
- The Western & Atlantic Railroad was being built to connect the interior of Georgia to the Midwest.
- The spot chosen as the southern end of that line was marked by a stake called the “Zero Mile Post.”
- Because it was the end of the line, people simply called it Terminus, Latin for “end” or “boundary.”
This was not yet a city the way we think of Atlanta today. It was more of a tiny transportation hub with workers, merchants, and some early settlers gathering around the railroad infrastructure.
You can still see nods to this era in places like Underground Atlanta and around the old railroad corridors downtown, where the layout reflects the city’s railroading roots.
Marthasville: A Short-Lived Name
In 1843, as the settlement grew, the town was briefly given a more formal name: Marthasville.
- The name honored Martha Lumpkin, daughter of former Georgia Governor Wilson Lumpkin.
- Governor Lumpkin had been a strong supporter of the Western & Atlantic Railroad.
- Naming the community after his daughter was a way to recognize his political influence and support.
For a couple of years, Marthasville was used in official contexts, but many people found the name awkward or not very fitting for a growing railroad town with regional ambitions.
Why “Atlanta”? The Connection to the Western & Atlantic Railroad
The name Atlanta is closely tied to the Western & Atlantic Railroad, which literally shaped the city’s location and early economy.
From “Atlantic” to “Atlanta”
One widely accepted explanation is that “Atlanta” was derived from “Atlantic” in Western & Atlantic Railroad:
- The railroad’s name referenced its route toward the Atlantic coast.
- People wanted a short, memorable name for the city at the end of that line.
- “Atlanta” was seen as a feminine form of “Atlantic” or a reference to the Atlantic connection the railroad aimed to provide.
In practical terms, the city’s name aligned it with the idea of being a gateway between regions—a theme that has continued with Atlanta’s later role as a transportation, business, and cultural hub.
Who Suggested the Name?
Historical accounts often credit J. Edgar Thomson, an engineer for the Georgia Railroad, with suggesting “Atlanta” as the new name:
- He reportedly proposed “Atlanta” as a simpler, more dignified name than Marthasville.
- The name fit the city’s role as a key point in the rail network connecting inland Georgia to larger markets.
While details of this story can vary in retelling, the main idea is consistent: railroad leaders and state officials wanted a name that reflected the city’s growing regional importance, not just a family connection.
When Did Atlanta Officially Become “Atlanta”?
The transition from Marthasville to Atlanta happened in the mid-1840s.
- In 1845, the Georgia General Assembly approved changing the name from Marthasville to Atlanta.
- Over the following years, “Atlanta” became the standard name used in maps, public documents, and railroad materials.
By the time of the Civil War, Atlanta was widely recognized by its present name—and already known as a critical railroad and supply center.
What the Name “Atlanta” Has Come to Represent
For people living in the city today, the name “Atlanta” carries layers of meaning that go far beyond its railroad roots.
A Transportation Hub, Then and Now
The original name connected to the Western & Atlantic Railroad. Today, the city:
- Hosts Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s busiest.
- Serves as a major hub for interstates I‑20, I‑75, and I‑85.
- Continues to be a central point for logistics, travel, and commerce in the Southeast.
The idea of Atlanta as a gateway city still matches what the name originally implied: a place that connects regions and people.
A Center of Culture and Identity
For locals, “Atlanta” also represents:
- A major center for Black culture, music, and business.
- A historic location in the Civil Rights Movement.
- A fast-growing metropolis with multiple distinct neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Southwest Atlanta.
The name now carries an identity that blends Southern history, modern diversity, and global reach.
Atlanta’s Earlier Names vs. Today’s City: Quick Reference
Here’s a simple overview of how the name evolved:
| Time Period (Approx.) | Name | Why It Was Used | What It Reflected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early 1840s | Terminus | End point of the Western & Atlantic Railroad | A functional rail endpoint, small outpost |
| 1843–1845 | Marthasville | Honored Martha Lumpkin, governor’s daughter | Political influence, early town identity |
| 1845 onward | Atlanta | Likely derived from “Atlantic” in railroad name | A growing, strategically important city |
Understanding this timeline can make local landmarks, street names, and historical markers around Atlanta feel more connected and meaningful.
Where You Can See Reminders of Atlanta’s Naming History
If you’re in Atlanta and want to see traces of this history for yourself, there are several places to explore.
Downtown and Historic Railroad Areas
Underground Atlanta (50 Upper Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303)
- Located near where the old railroads converged.
- Walking around this area, you’re close to where Terminus developed into a more permanent town.
Areas near Five Points and Garnett stations
- These spots sit near the historic core of the city’s early rail infrastructure.
- You’re standing roughly where the rail-driven town of Terminus grew into Atlanta.
History and Archives Resources
If you want to dig deeper into name origins or see documents from the Marthasville era, you can explore:
Atlanta History Center
- 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW
- Atlanta, GA 30305
- Offers exhibits on Atlanta’s early development, including its transportation roots.
Georgia State Capitol / Georgia Archives Access
- Capitol building: 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
- While the main Georgia Archives building is in Morrow, legislative records about the name change were created and adopted in Atlanta.
These institutions can give you a more detailed historical picture, including how lawmakers and railroad leaders described the city when the name was changed.
Why the Name Origin Matters for People in Atlanta Today
Knowing where the name “Atlanta” came from isn’t just a trivia fact. It helps explain:
- Why the city’s layout still revolves around rail lines, highways, and transit corridors.
- Why transportation and logistics continue to be major parts of the local economy.
- How a small railroad endpoint transformed into a regional and global center.
When you hear someone refer to the city as “the ATL,” “the A,” or “The City Too Busy to Hate,” it’s all layered on top of that core identity: a place built around connection and movement, starting with a railroad called the Western & Atlantic.
In short, Atlanta’s name grew from a railroad term into a symbol of a modern, influential Southern city—and you can still feel that original purpose in how the city moves, grows, and connects people today.