Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Adrian
BoyLatin· “from Hadria”
- Meaning
- from Hadria
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- AY-dree-uhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #74
- US babies 2025
- 4,464
- Best rank
- #56 (2008)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Adrian
Adrian is a Latin name that means “from Hadria”.
Adrian comes from the Latin Hadrianus, meaning "from Hadria", a town in northern Italy that also gave its name to the Adriatic Sea. The Roman emperor Hadrian, who built the famous wall across northern Britain in the second century, carried the name. Six popes took it, including Adrian IV, the only English pope. The name is used across Europe, as Adrián in Spanish and Adriano in Italian. Adrian sounds sophisticated yet friendly, and it has been steadily used in English-speaking countries for generations. Adriana and Adrienne are feminine forms.
Popularity over time
Adrian 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 #56 in 2008, the same year it reached its highest count of 7,938 babies. In 2025, 4,464 babies were named Adrian, and it ranked #74 nationally. That is 32% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #348 in 1920, #390 in 1950, #115 in 1980, #78 in 2000, #56 in 2010, and #74 in 2025. Of the 272,265 US boys named Adrian since records began, 24% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 65,986 babies. Since 2010, 95,267 more have been named Adrian.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Luis, Chase, Xavier, Brody, and Jaden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Adrian ranked highest in Nevada, California, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #22 | 70 |
| California | #29 | 869 |
| New Mexico | #30 | 37 |
| Arizona | #36 | 148 |
| Texas | #41 | 705 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Adrian over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Adrian is usually pronounced AY-dree-uhn, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Adrian
A few middle names that flow with Adrian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Adrian
Similar names
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Lists that include Adrian
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Adrian mean?
Adrian is a Latin name that means “from Hadria”.
What is the origin of the name Adrian?
Adrian has Latin roots. Adrian comes from the Latin Hadrianus, meaning "from Hadria", a town in northern Italy that also gave its name to the Adriatic Sea.
Is Adrian a popular name?
Yes. Adrian ranked #74 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Adrian a boy or girl name?
Adrian is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Adrian over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Adrian?
Adrian is usually pronounced AY-dree-uhn. 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