The nameAdelaide

Adelaide is a girl's name of Germanic origin meaning "of noble kind". The name of a queen and of an Australian city, it is coming back.

Meaning

Adelaide comes from the Germanic Adalheidis, made of adal, "noble", and heid, "kind, type".

Origin

Germanic. Saint Adelaide was a 10th century empress. Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV, gave her name to the city of Adelaide in South Australia.

History

Adelaide was popular in the 19th century. It has come back in the United States, reaching the top 180. Alice and Heidi come from the same root.

Famous people named Adelaide

Popularity of the name Adelaide

Adelaide in the United States

271stmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
2016peak year (1,240 births)
33,938babies named Adelaide in the United States since 1880
06201,240 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Adelaide was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 10,224 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Adelaide. Its rise began around 1893, and it peaked in 2016. Half of all babies named Adelaide in the United States were born before 2008, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,143 births a year.

Adelaide in the United Kingdom

367thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2025peak year (132 births)
1,656babies named Adelaide in the United Kingdom since 1997
066132 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Adelaide was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 700 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Adelaide. Half of all babies named Adelaide in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 122 births a year on average, against 79 in the five years before.

Adelaide in France

415thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
1987peak year (490 births)
13,025babies named Adelaide in France since 1900
0245490 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Adelaide

Names from the same generation as Adelaide, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Adelaide? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Adelaide with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Adelaide side by side with the name of your choice.

Adelaide in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Adelaide mean?

Adelaide comes from the Germanic Adalheidis, made of adal, "noble", and heid, "kind, type".

What is the origin of the name Adelaide?

Germanic. Saint Adelaide was a 10th century empress. Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV, gave her name to the city of Adelaide in South Australia.

Is Adelaide a girl's or a boy's name?

Adelaide is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Adelaide?

In 2024, Adelaide was the 271st most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,158 births.

What are the variants of the name Adelaide?

Variants and related names of Adelaide include Ada, Alice, Alixe, Alysson, Heidi and Marie-Alice.

What are good sibling names for Adelaide?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Matilda, Lucille, Emmy and Louisa for a sister, Sullivan, Finn, Conrad and Rayan for a brother.

Who are famous people named Adelaide?

Saint Adelaide, empress; Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV; Adelaide Kane, actress.