At Symbol @ — Names, History, and How to Type It

The at symbol (@) is one of the most recognizable characters in modern communication. From email addresses to social media handles, this versatile symbol has become indispensable in the digital age. But did you know it has dozens of names across different languages and has been in use for centuries? This guide covers everything about the @ symbol.

Quick @ Symbol Reference

Other Names for the @ Symbol

The @ symbol goes by many names depending on where you are in the world:

History of the @ Symbol

Medieval Origins

The @ symbol dates back to at least the 6th century. Scribes likely created it as a ligature of the letters "a" and "d" representing the Latin word "ad" (meaning "at," "toward," or "to"). It was commonly used in merchant accounting to denote "at the rate of"—for example, "10 apples @ $1" meant 10 apples at a price of $1 each.

Adoption in Computing

The @ symbol was relatively obscure until 1971 when computer scientist Ray Tomlinson chose it for email addresses. He needed a character that:

• Wasn't commonly used in names
• Was on every keyboard
• Could separate the user from the host computer

The format username@host became the standard we still use today.

How to Type @ on Different Devices

Windows

Press Shift + 2 (top row of keyboard)

Note: On some European keyboards, @ may be accessed via AltGr + 2 or AltGr + Q

Mac

Press Shift + 2

Linux

Press Shift + 2 or AltGr + 2

iPhone and iPad

1. Tap the 123 button
2. Tap Shift (up arrow)
3. Tap the @ key

Android

1. Tap ?123
2. Tap the @ symbol (usually on first symbol page)

Modern Uses of @

Email Addresses

The most familiar use: [email protected] separates the local part (username) from the domain.

Social Media

@username is used across platforms (Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn) to mention or tag users.

Programming

• Python: Decorators (@property)
• Java: Annotations (@Override)
• PHP: Error suppression (@ before expression)

Academic and Professional

• Citing multiple authors: Smith et al. @ 2024
• Indicating location: Meet me @ the coffee shop
• Prices: Items @ $5 each

HTML Code for @

While @ can be typed directly in HTML, the entity code is:

• Decimal: @
• Hexadecimal: @

Quick Reference

Related Symbols

• © — Copyright
• ® — Registered trademark
• ™ — Trademark

Conclusion

From medieval accounting ledgers to modern email addresses and social media, the @ symbol has proven remarkably adaptable. Its journey from a specialized merchant's mark to one of the most typed characters on Earth is a testament to how symbols evolve with human communication. Whether you call it "at," "arroba," or "monkey tail," this versatile character remains essential to our connected world.