Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Adnan
BoyArabic· “settler; ancestor of the northern Arabs”
- Meaning
- settler; ancestor of the northern Arabs
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- AHD-nahn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,539
- US babies 2025
- 112
- Best rank
- #1,441 (2001)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Adnan
Adnan is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “settler; ancestor of the northern Arabs”.
Adnan is an Arabic name associated with the root meaning to settle or to dwell, and it is often translated as "settler." In Arab genealogical tradition, Adnan is the ancestor of the northern Arab tribes, including the Quraysh, the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad, and his descendants are called the Adnanites. For this reason the name carries deep heritage value across the Muslim world, from the Middle East to South Asia and the Balkans. In English it is typically said AHD-nahn. It is short, dignified and easy to pronounce in many languages, which helps it travel well.
Popularity over time
Adnan first appears in US Social Security records in 1970. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,441 in 2001, and the most babies received it in 2023, when 118 were named Adnan. In 2025, 112 babies were named Adnan, and it ranked #1,539 nationally. That is 30% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,729 in 1980, #1,653 in 2000, #1,794 in 2010, and #1,539 in 2025. Of the 2,996 US boys named Adnan since records began, 27% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 768 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Fynn, Sulaiman, Esai, Abiel, and Nakoa.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Adnan ranked highest in Minnesota, Virginia, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #511 | 10 |
| Virginia | #730 | 9 |
| Washington | #901 | 6 |
| Illinois | #936 | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | #1096 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Adnan is usually pronounced AHD-nahn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Adnan
A few middle names that flow with Adnan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Adnan
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Lists that include Adnan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Adnan mean?
Adnan is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “settler; ancestor of the northern Arabs”.
What is the origin of the name Adnan?
Adnan has Arabic roots. Adnan is an Arabic name associated with the root meaning to settle or to dwell, and it is often translated as "settler." In Arab genealogical tradition, Adnan is the ancestor of the northern Arab tribes, including the Quraysh, the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad, and his descendants are called the Adnanites.
Is Adnan a popular name?
Not especially. Adnan ranked #1,539 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Adnan a boy or girl name?
Adnan is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Adnan?
Adnan is usually pronounced AHD-nahn. 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