Boy · 223rd of 7,545
Adolph
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
18,765
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1917
Peak Popularity Year
681
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Adolph 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
Adolph is a name of Germanic origin meaning 'noble wolf'. It evolved from the Old High German 'Adalwolf' and gained prominence in the 19th century. The name has a historical association that affects its modern perception, and it has variants such as Adal and Adolphus.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈeɪ.dɒlf/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Adolph derives from the Old High German name 'Adalwolf', which is composed of the elements 'adal' meaning 'noble' and 'wolf' meaning 'wolf'.
Meaning
Noble wolf
Language Evolution
Adalwolf, Adolphus, Adolph
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in Germany and among German immigrants in various countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Adal, Adolphus, Dolf
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Adolph is less common and can be associated with historical figures, particularly due to its association with Adolf Hitler, leading to a negative perception in many regions.
Famous People
Adolphus Busch, Adolph Zukor, Adolph Reed Jr.
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 681 peak births in 1917
Geographic Spread
Popular across 37 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 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 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 223rd of 7545 | 9,144 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 408th of 6773 | 3,674 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 675th of 7552 | 2,322 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1107th of 10718 | 879 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2271st of 16616 | 459 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6987th of 24088 | 159 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11827th of 23106 | 52 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7414th of 9107 | 13 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8498th of 9204 | 7 |