Boy · 29th of 16,616
Adam
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
578,925
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1984
Peak Popularity Year
24,082
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Adam stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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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
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |