'Antigone' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'Ἀντιγόνη' (Antigónē), where the prefix 'anti-' meant 'against' or 'opposite' and 'gonē' meant 'birth' or 'offspring'.

'Antigone' passed from Ancient Greek 'Ἀντιγόνη' into Latin as 'Antigone' through classical literature and then into English via translations and scholarly use of Greek tragedies, especially Sophocles' play of the same name.

Initially it was a proper name in Greek myth ('Antigone' as a person). Over time it has retained that primary identification but also gained an extended, metaphorical sense referring to a defiant woman or moral rebel.