Adonijah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ah-doh-NI-jah /əˈdoʊnɪdʒə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Yahweh is my Lord
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Adonijah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the elements 'adon,' meaning 'lord' or 'master,' and 'yah,' a shortened form of 'Yahweh,' the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. This etymological composition signifies 'My Lord is Yahweh.' The name appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Samuel and Kings, where it is transliterated from Hebrew into Greek and subsequently into Latin before entering the English lexicon.
The transition into English occurred through the influence of the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which popularized many biblical names in the English-speaking world. Historically, Adonijah is notably associated with a biblical figure who was the fourth son of King David and Haggith, mentioned in the context of the succession narrative surrounding David's reign.
His story is primarily found in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, where he attempts to claim the throne, leading to significant political and familial conflict. This narrative, set in the 10th century BCE, highlights themes of power, loyalty, and divine favor, which have resonated through centuries of Judeo-Christian tradition.
Culturally, the name Adonijah carries a weight of historical significance, often representing themes of ambition and the complexities of royal lineage. It has been used in various literary and religious contexts, symbolizing the struggle for power and the divine right of kings.
The name's enduring presence in biblical texts and its association with significant historical events contribute to its lasting resonance in religious and cultural discussions. Additionally, diminutive forms such as 'Adoni' may appear in various contexts, reflecting a more personal or affectionate usage, though the primary form remains significant in its own right.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Adonijah, 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 Adonijah. 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 Adonijah was first seen in the United States in 1982.
Adonijah has ranked as high as #7400 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in Florida, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Adonijah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Adonijah 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 Adonijah 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 Adonijah.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2019 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2015 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2014 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 2013 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2012 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 2011 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2010 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 2009 | 25 | 20 | 5 |
| 2008 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2007 | 23 | 18 | 5 |
| 2006 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2005 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2004 | 18 | 13 | 5 |
| 2003 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2002 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2001 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1999 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 1998 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 1996 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1995 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1994 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1993 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1982 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Adonijah (2014)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 5 | |
| NY | 5 |