Adlai Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AD-lay //ˈæd.leɪ//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'God is just'; English: 'noble'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Adlai has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the name "Adlai" (אֲדְלָי), which means "God is just" or "God is my witness." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the context of the Old Testament, where Adlai is mentioned as a descendant of King David in the genealogies found in the books of Chronicles. The name was later adopted into Greek and Latin forms, which facilitated its entry into various European languages, including English.
The transliteration from Hebrew to English occurred through the intermediary stages of Greek and Latin, particularly during the periods of early Christian scholarship and the translation of biblical texts. Historically, the name Adlai gained prominence in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, due to notable figures such as Adlai Stevenson I, who served as the U.S.
Vice President under Grover Cleveland from 1893 to 1897. His grandson, Adlai Stevenson II, was a significant political figure in the mid-20th century, serving as the U.S.
Ambassador to the United Nations and a two-time presidential candidate. These associations with prominent political figures contributed to the name's recognition and usage in American culture.
Culturally, the name Adlai carries connotations of justice and integrity, reflecting its biblical origins. The name's meaning and historical associations have allowed it to resonate within various communities, particularly those with Judeo-Christian backgrounds.
The diminutive form "Ad" has also been used informally, though it is less common. Overall, Adlai's historical significance and its roots in biblical tradition contribute to its enduring presence in the cultural lexicon.
Famous people named Adlai
In this section, you will find notable people named Adlai. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Adlai who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Adlai who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Adlai Stevenson II is a politician and diplomat best known for being the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and for his candidacies for President of the United States in 1952 and 1956.
Adlai E. Stevenson I is a politician and lawyer best known for serving as the Governor of Illinois and for being the Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1892.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Adlai, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Adlai. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Adlai was first seen in the United States in 1891.
Adlai has ranked as high as #2621 nationally, which occurred in 1952, and has been most popular in Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Adlai has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Adlai is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Adlai was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Adlai.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 6 | 7 |
| 2024 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2022 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 9 | 8 |
| 2020 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 2019 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2018 | 23 | 18 | 5 |
| 2017 | 21 | 15 | 6 |
| 2016 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 2015 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2014 | 19 | 10 | 9 |
| 2013 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2012 | 27 | 21 | 6 |
| 2011 | 22 | 15 | 7 |
| 2010 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2009 | 18 | 12 | 6 |
| 2008 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 2007 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2006 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2005 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2004 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| 2003 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2002 | 19 | 14 | 5 |
| 2001 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2000 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1999 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1998 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1996 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 1994 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1991 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1990 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1989 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1986 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1985 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1981 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1980 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1979 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1977 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1968 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1967 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1960 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1957 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1956 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1955 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1954 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1953 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1952 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1936 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1927 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1925 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1924 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1920 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1894 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1893 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1892 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1891 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Adlai (1952)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 6 |