Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Adam has Hebrew origins, meaning 'man' or 'mankind', and is closely associated with the biblical story of the first man created by God. It has evolved through several languages, maintaining its core meaning while remaining a popular choice for boys. The name is often linked to strong traits and carries significant biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈæd.əm/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Adam derives from the Hebrew word 'adam', which means 'man' or 'mankind'. It is also related to 'adamah', meaning 'earth' or 'ground', indicating the biblical creation of Adam from the dust of the earth.
Meaning
man, mankind, earth
Language Evolution
Hebrew: אָדָם (Adam), Greek: Ἀδάμ (Adam), Latin: Adam, Old English: Adam
Biblical Background
The name Adam is significant in the Bible as it refers to the first man created by God, according to the Genesis narrative.
Historical Usage
The name Adam has been in continuous use since biblical times, gaining popularity in Christian contexts due to its biblical roots. It has remained a common name throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Adan, Addam, Aadam, Aden
Modern Popularity & Image
Adam remains a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with qualities such as leadership and strength. It has a strong biblical connotation and is viewed positively.
Famous People
Adam Smith - Scottish economist and philosopher, Adam Levine - American singer and songwriter, Adam Sandler - American actor and comedian
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 24,082 peak births in 1984
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (3 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 3 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 221st of 7545 | 9,180 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 363rd of 6773 | 4,454 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 262nd of 7552 | 14,732 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 45th of 10718 | 123,606 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 29th of 16616 | 257,739 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 59th of 24088 | 112,058 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 84th of 23106 | 53,097 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6442nd of 9107 | 23 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 8676th of 12526 | 25 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2143rd of 19264 | 626 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1851st of 27321 | 1,108 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8070th of 35406 | 217 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 13812th of 30306 | 66 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
15.75% 223rd/1416 |
10.15% 140th/1379 |
11.92% 282nd/2366 |
36.34% 415th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
24.64% 381st/1546 |
15.94% 248th/1556 |
15.55% 366th/2353 |
34.65% 536th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
13.11% 292nd/2227 |
7.12% 173rd/2430 |
11.08% 316th/2853 |
9.41% 261st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
1.40% 41st/2937 |
1.18% 41st/3483 |
1.73% 61st/3518 |
1.04% 42nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.52% 19th/3685 |
0.60% 27th/4475 |
0.64% 33rd/5194 |
0.51% 32nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
1.18% 54th/4582 |
1.01% 52nd/5164 |
0.93% 68th/7313 |
0.86% 64th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
2.38% 95th/3984 |
1.31% 59th/4487 |
1.52% 104th/6822 |
1.21% 76th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
58.87% 1729th/2937 |
59.37% 2068th/3483 |
100.00% 3518th/3518 |
55.74% 2254th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
41.11% 1515th/3685 |
42.19% 1888th/4475 |
45.65% 2371st/5194 |
36.79% 2324th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
92.12% 4757th/5164 |
67.97% 4971st/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in New Hampshire across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 221st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 363rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 262nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 45th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 29th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 59th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 84th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6442nd out of 9107 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 8676th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2143rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1851st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8070th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 13812th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.