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Adrian Unisex

Popularity: #71 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationAY-dree-uhn / ˈeɪ.dri.ən

Latin; Greek

Meaning

Latin: 'man of Adria'; Greek: 'dark one'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Adrian has its roots in the Latin name 'Hadrianus,' which means 'from Hadria,' a town in northern Italy. The name was derived from the Latin word 'Hadria,' which referred to the Adriatic Sea. The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where it was used as a family name. The name gained prominence through the famous Roman Emperor Publius Aelius Hadrianus, commonly known as Hadrian, who ruled from 117 to 138 CE and is best known for constructing Hadrian's Wall in Britain.

In the early Christian era, the name Adrian became associated with several saints, most notably Saint Adrian of Nicomedia, a martyr who was venerated in the 4th century. His story was popularized in various hagiographies, contributing to the name's spread throughout Christian Europe. The name was further solidified in the Western tradition through its inclusion in the Latin Vulgate Bible, where it appears in various forms, influencing its adoption in different languages.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Adrian was a favored name among the clergy and nobility, with several popes adopting the name, including Pope Adrian I in the 8th century and Pope Adrian VI in the 16th century. This ecclesiastical connection helped to maintain the name's significance in Christian contexts. The name also appears in various literary works and historical texts, reinforcing its cultural resonance.

Adrian has been associated with qualities such as strength and leadership, partly due to its historical connections with influential figures. The name has various diminutive forms, including 'Adri' or 'Aidan,' which have also been used in different cultures. Overall, Adrian's enduring legacy is marked by its rich etymological history and its associations with notable historical and religious figures.

Trend Summary

Adrian has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the 1980s and remaining a classic choice.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Aidan
  • Adriano

International Variants

  • Adriano (Italian)
  • Adrián (Spanish)
  • Adrien (French)

Famous people named Adrian

Adrian Brody is an actor best known for The Pianist, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and King Kong.

Adrian Smith is a musician best known for his work with Iron Maiden, including albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave.

Adrian Grenier is an actor best known for his role in Entourage, as well as films like Drive Me Crazy and The Devil Wears Prada.

Fictional characters named Adrian

Adrian Veidt is a fictional character from the graphic novel and film Watchmen. He is a former superhero known as Ozymandias, who becomes a key figure in the story's moral and philosophical dilemmas.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Adrian was first seen in the United States in 1880. Adrian has ranked as high as #80 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Adrian has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Adrian (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 900
20%
TX 739
17%
FL 305
7%
NY 246
6%
IL 182
4%
GA 152
3%
AZ 139
3%
NC 131
3%
PA 114
3%
VA 112
3%
OH 89
2%
WA 86
2%
MD 79
2%
IN 76
2%
TN 74
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188018
188112
188218
188314
18849
188512
188617
188713
188819
188916
189017
189116
189218
189313
189418
189518
189622
189727
189817
189930
190027
190129
190226
190323
190430
190533
190634
190731
190841
190938
191042
191155
1912130
1913155
1914174
1915231
1916242
1917273
1918325
1919274
1920284
1921283
1922275
1923340
1924333
1925267
1926280
1927221
1928230
1929228
1930205
1931214
1932210
1933195
1934205
1935211
1936217
1937224
1938247
1939248
1940237
1941260
1942237
1943222
1944241
1945231
1946290
1947302
1948305
1949314
1950298
1951358
1952368
1953404
1954367
1955431
1956441
1957463
1958443
1959484
1960556
1961634
1962702
1963653
1964784
1965772
1966756
1967813
1968958
19691,044
19701,295
19711,507
19721,678
19731,612
19741,817
19751,953
19762,118
19772,262
19782,306
19792,365
19802,392
19812,468
19822,515
19832,550
19842,657
19853,132
19862,943
19872,846
19883,220
19893,418
19904,000
19913,921
19923,859
19933,754
19943,814
19953,911
19964,109
19974,116
19985,429
19995,067
20005,341
20015,424
20025,684
20036,110
20046,140
20056,726
20067,383
20077,742
20087,937
20097,633
20107,409
20117,349
20126,951
20136,854
20146,706
20156,536
20166,336
20176,233
20185,816
20195,784
20205,316
20215,143
20225,044
20234,662
20244,617