The nameAdrian
Adrian is a boy's name of Latin origin meaning "from Hadria". The name of the Roman emperor Hadrian and of the only English pope, it is used across Europe.
- Boy's name
- Latin
- Feast day
Meaning
Adrian comes from the Latin Hadrianus, "man from Hadria", a town in northern Italy that also gave its name to the Adriatic Sea.
Origin
Latin. The emperor Hadrian built Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain. Nicholas Breakspear, the only English pope, took the name Adrian IV in 1154.
History
Adrian is a classic in Spain, Poland and Scandinavia, and it has been in the American top 100 for years. Adrien is the French form.
Did you know?
- Adrian Newey has designed championship winning Formula One cars for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.
Famous people named Adrian
- Hadrian, Roman emperor
- Pope Adrian IV
- Adrian Mole, fictional diarist
- Adrian Newey, Formula One designer
Popularity of the name Adrian
Adrian in the United States
Adrian was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 67,910 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Adrian. Its rise began around 1962, and it peaked in 2008. Half of all babies named Adrian in the United States were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 5,022 births a year on average, against 6,235 in the five years before.
Adrian in the United Kingdom
Adrian was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 2,628 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Adrian. Half of all babies named Adrian in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 190 births a year on average, against 239 in the five years before.
Adrian in Ireland
Adrian in France
Adrian in Belgium
Adrian in Switzerland
Adrian in Austria
Adrian in Norway
Sibling names for Adrian
Names from the same generation as Adrian, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Adrian? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Adrian with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Adrian side by side with the name of your choice.
Adrian in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Adrian mean?
Adrian comes from the Latin Hadrianus, "man from Hadria", a town in northern Italy that also gave its name to the Adriatic Sea.
What is the origin of the name Adrian?
Latin. The emperor Hadrian built Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain. Nicholas Breakspear, the only English pope, took the name Adrian IV in 1154.
Is Adrian a girl's or a boy's name?
Adrian is a boy's name. In the United States, 6% of the babies named Adrian are girls.
How popular is the name Adrian?
In 2024, Adrian was the 72nd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 4,617 births.
What are good sibling names for Adrian?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Claire, Valerie, Juliana and Natalia for a sister, Vincent, Dominic, Max and Xavier for a brother.
Who are famous people named Adrian?
Hadrian, Roman emperor; Pope Adrian IV; Adrian Mole, fictional diarist; Adrian Newey, Formula One designer.