Adrian Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Adrian is a name of Latin origin, derived from 'Hadrianus', meaning 'from Hadria'. It evolved through various historical forms and is associated with traits of darkness and richness. While it has no direct biblical relevance, its usage was popularized by early Christian martyrs. Today, Adrian is viewed as a strong and sophisticated name, with variants found in several languages.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Adrian"
Pronunciation
/ˈeɪdriən/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Adrian derives from the Latin name 'Hadrianus', which means 'from Hadria', an ancient town in northern Italy.
Meaning
Dark one, rich
Language Evolution
Hadrianus, Adrianus, Adrian
Historical Usage
The name became popular in the Christian world due to Saint Adrian of Nicomedia, a martyr in the 3rd century, and gained further popularity in medieval Europe.
Variants & Derivatives
Hadrian, Adriano, Adrianna, Aidan
Modern Popularity & Image
Adrian is considered a classic name that conveys sophistication and strength. It remains popular in various cultures.
Famous People
Adrian Grenier, Adrian Smith, Adrian Peterson
📊 Adrian Name 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 8,099 peak births in 2008
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Adrian"
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 of "Adrian"
"Adrian" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 350th of 7545 | 4,469 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 387th of 6773 | 4,062 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 351st of 7552 | 8,597 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 169th of 10718 | 25,648 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 100th of 16616 | 53,117 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 63rd of 24088 | 102,441 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 63rd of 23106 | 69,047 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2528th of 9107 | 219 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1564th of 9204 | 464 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1017th of 12526 | 1,920 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 679th of 19264 | 3,718 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 616th of 27321 | 5,423 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1241st of 35406 | 2,902 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2180th of 30306 | 1,029 |
Regional Popularity of "Adrian" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
18.93% 268th/1416 |
23.06% 318th/1379 |
17.54% 415th/2366 |
35.99% 411th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
19.99% 309th/1546 |
20.95% 326th/1556 |
20.44% 481st/2353 |
26.24% 406th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
16.03% 357th/2227 |
13.21% 321st/2430 |
12.37% 353rd/2853 |
11.68% 324th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
7.52% 221st/2937 |
6.14% 214th/3483 |
3.92% 138th/3518 |
3.41% 138th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
4.29% 158th/3685 |
3.35% 150th/4475 |
1.64% 85th/5194 |
1.08% 68th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
2.36% 108th/4582 |
1.96% 101st/5164 |
0.82% 60th/7313 |
0.46% 34th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
2.76% 110th/3984 |
1.72% 77th/4487 |
0.88% 60th/6822 |
0.56% 35th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Adrian" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
76.26% 1179th/1546 |
67.22% 1046th/1556 |
95.75% 2253rd/2353 |
78.86% 1220th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
45.13% 1005th/2227 |
30.82% 749th/2430 |
36.77% 1049th/2853 |
34.41% 955th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
26.73% 785th/2937 |
21.85% 761st/3483 |
14.89% 524th/3518 |
20.72% 838th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
17.75% 654th/3685 |
21.59% 966th/4475 |
8.95% 465th/5194 |
12.17% 769th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
21.85% 1001st/4582 |
34.74% 1794th/5164 |
15.49% 1133rd/7313 |
23.64% 1764th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
43.90% 1749th/3984 |
67.24% 3017th/4487 |
37.48% 2557th/6822 |
43.40% 2724th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Adrian"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Adrian" 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 of "Adrian" in the United States
The name Adrian is most popular in Nevada, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the West 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 relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Adrian has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling 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 stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Adrian' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 350th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 387th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 351st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 169th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 100th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 63rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 63rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2528th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1564th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1017th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 679th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 616th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1241st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2180th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Adrian' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.