Adonis
BoyGreek· “lord”
- Meaning
- lord
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- uh-DAH-nis
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #241
- US babies 2025
- 1,462
- Best rank
- #175 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Adonis
Adonis is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “lord”.
Adonis is a figure from Greek mythology, a beautiful young man loved by the goddess Aphrodite. When he was killed by a wild boar, the red anemone was said to spring from his blood. The name is thought to come from the Semitic word adon, meaning lord, since the story of Adonis likely came to Greece from the Phoenician world. In English, an Adonis has come to mean a strikingly handsome man. As a given name, Adonis is used in the United States and Latin America. It feels bold and dramatic, with Don and Ado as possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Adonis first appears in US Social Security records in 1918. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 33 different years, starting in 1993. Its best national rank was #175 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,102 babies. In 2025, 1,462 babies were named Adonis, and it ranked #241 nationally. That is 306% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #3,211 in 1920, #3,689 in 1950, #1,227 in 1980, #756 in 2000, #804 in 2010, and #241 in 2025. Of the 21,593 US boys named Adonis since records began, 48% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 6,081 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Felix, Jett, Hayes, Matias, and Knox.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Adonis ranked highest in Nevada, District of Columbia, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #114 | 27 |
| District of Columbia | #139 | 6 |
| Georgia | #166 | 75 |
| Alaska | #166 | 5 |
| South Carolina | #168 | 34 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Adonis is usually pronounced uh-DAH-nis, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-is”.
Middle names for Adonis
A few middle names that flow with Adonis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Adonis
Similar names
Lists that include Adonis
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Adonis mean?
Adonis is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “lord”.
What is the origin of the name Adonis?
Adonis has Greek roots. Adonis is a figure from Greek mythology, a beautiful young man loved by the goddess Aphrodite.
Is Adonis a popular name?
Yes. Adonis ranked #241 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Adonis a boy or girl name?
Adonis is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Adonis?
Adonis is usually pronounced uh-DAH-nis. 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