Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Adam
BoyHebrew· “man; possibly earth”
- Meaning
- man; possibly earth
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- AD-uhm
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #101
- US babies 2025
- 3,501
- Best rank
- #18 (1983)
- Peak year
- 1984
Meaning and origin of Adam
Adam is a Hebrew name that means “man; possibly earth”.
Adam is the Hebrew word for man, often linked with adamah, meaning earth or ground, because in the Book of Genesis the first man is formed from the earth. As the name of the first human in Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition, it has been used across many cultures and languages. In medieval England it was common, and it has never gone fully out of fashion. Notable bearers include the economist Adam Smith. The name is short, strong and instantly recognizable, and it needs no nickname. It sits well with almost any surname and is easy to spell and pronounce worldwide.
Popularity over time
Adam has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #18 in 1983, and the most babies received it in 1984, when 23,939 were named Adam. In 2025, 3,501 babies were named Adam, and it ranked #101 nationally. That is 35% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #223 in 1920, #382 in 1950, #22 in 1980, #45 in 2000, #80 in 2010, and #101 in 2025. Of the 580,378 US boys named Adam since records began, 34% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 106,909 babies. Since 2010, 72,275 more have been named Adam.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ryan, Dustin, Daniel, Bryan, and Matthew.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Adam ranked highest in New York, Michigan, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #42 | 347 |
| Michigan | #43 | 175 |
| Illinois | #45 | 200 |
| New Jersey | #60 | 151 |
| Minnesota | #68 | 85 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Adam is usually pronounced AD-uhm, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-am”.
Middle names for Adam
A few middle names that flow with Adam: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Adam
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Lists that include Adam
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Adam mean?
Adam is a Hebrew name that means “man; possibly earth”.
What is the origin of the name Adam?
Adam has Hebrew roots. Adam is the Hebrew word for man, often linked with adamah, meaning earth or ground, because in the Book of Genesis the first man is formed from the earth.
Is Adam a popular name?
Yes. Adam ranked #101 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Adam a boy or girl name?
Adam is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Adam?
Adam is usually pronounced AD-uhm. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings