Girl · 291st of 30,306
Adelaide
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
33,938
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2016
Peak Popularity Year
1,240
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Adelaide 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
Adelaide is a name of Germanic origin, meaning 'noble kind'. It evolved from the Old High German 'Adalheidis' through various historical forms, including Old French. The name is associated with traits of strength and nobility, and it gained popularity in the 19th century, influenced by notable figures such as Queen Adelaide. There is no direct biblical relevance associated with the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈæd.ə.leɪd/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Adelaide is derived from the Old High German name 'Adalheidis', which means 'noble kind' or 'noble sort'. It combines the elements 'adal' meaning 'noble' and 'heid' meaning 'kind' or 'type'.
Meaning
noble kind
Language Evolution
Adalheidis (Old High German), Adelaide (Old French), Adélaïde (French)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, partly due to the fame of Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV of the United Kingdom.
Variants & Derivatives
Adelheid, Adelina, Heidi, Adele
Modern Popularity & Image
Adelaide is currently viewed as a classic and elegant name. It is also associated with strength and nobility.
Famous People
Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, Adelaide Hall, Adelaide Kane
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,240 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 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 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 304th of 9107 | 8,156 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 614th of 9204 | 2,329 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1472nd of 12526 | 939 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3600th of 19264 | 284 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2641st of 27321 | 679 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 756th of 35406 | 5,636 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 291st of 30306 | 13,534 |