'Antigone' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the name 'Αντιγόνη' (Antigónē), where the prefix 'anti-' meant 'against, in return' and 'gonē' meant 'birth, offspring'.

'Antigone' changed from the Ancient Greek name 'Antigónē' and entered Latin and later medieval literary traditions, eventually becoming the modern English proper name 'Antigone'.

Initially it was a personal name composed of elements meaning 'against/in return' + 'birth/offspring', but over time it became primarily associated with the mythological character and the title of the famous Greek tragedy.