'Atossa' originates from Old Persian, specifically the name 'Hutaosa' (often rendered as 'Utâsa' or 'Hutaosa'), where the prefix 'hu-' meant 'good' or 'well'.

'Atossa' changed from the Old Persian name 'Hutaosa' and was borrowed into Classical Greek as 'Ἀτόσσα' (Atóssa), and from there entered later European usage as the proper name 'Atossa'.

Initially the name carried a sense related to 'good' or 'well' (via the 'hu-' element) and possibly attributes like strength or prosperity; over time it has been preserved primarily as a personal name referring to the historical queen and as a female given name.