The nameAdam
Adam is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "man" or "from the earth". The name of the first man in the Bible, it is used in nearly every language.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Adam comes from the Hebrew adam, "man, mankind", often linked to adamah, "earth, ground": "man made from the earth".
Origin
Hebrew. In Genesis, Adam is the first man, created from the dust of the ground.
History
Adam was used in medieval England, then became popular again from the 1960s. It is in the top 30 in England and Wales and a leading name in France, Belgium and the Arab world, where it is spelled Adam too.
Adam in other languages
Adam is spelled the same in English, French, German, Polish and Arabic. It is Adamo in Italian, Adán in Spanish, Adão in Portuguese and Ádám in Hungarian.
Did you know?
- The phrase "Adam's apple" comes from an old tradition that a piece of the forbidden fruit stuck in Adam's throat.
- Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations in 1776, one of the founding books of economics.
- Pan Tadeusz, by Adam Mickiewicz, is regarded as the national epic of Poland.
Famous people named Adam
- Adam, first man in the Bible
- Adam Smith, economist
- Adam Driver, actor
- Adam Peaty, swimmer
Popularity of the name Adam
Adam in the United States
Adam was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 196,100 births over the decade, 34% of all recorded babies named Adam. Its rise began around 1964, and it peaked in 1984. Half of all babies named Adam in the United States were born before 1987, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 3,614 births a year on average, against 4,898 in the five years before.
Adam in the United Kingdom
Adam was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 36,016 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Adam. Half of all babies named Adam in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,545 births a year on average, against 1,949 in the five years before.
Adam in Ireland
Adam in France
Adam in Belgium
Adam in Switzerland
Adam in Austria
Adam in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Adam
Names from the same generation as Adam, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Adam? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Adam with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Adam side by side with the name of your choice.
Adam in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Adam mean?
Adam comes from the Hebrew adam, "man, mankind", often linked to adamah, "earth, ground": "man made from the earth".
What is the origin of the name Adam?
Hebrew. In Genesis, Adam is the first man, created from the dust of the ground.
Is Adam a girl's or a boy's name?
Adam is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Adam?
In 2024, Adam was the 100th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 3,497 births.
What are the variants of the name Adam?
Variants and related names of Adam include Adama, Adame, Addison and Adem.
What are good sibling names for Adam?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Madeline, Elizabeth, Abigail and Maria for a sister, Aaron, Nathaniel, David and John for a brother.
Who are famous people named Adam?
Adam, first man in the Bible; Adam Smith, economist; Adam Driver, actor; Adam Peaty, swimmer.