Adrian Name Meaning
Adrian is often used as a gender-neutral name. Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name.
Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah Scott
The name Adrian is Latin and means "son of Adria." It is a form of the name Adrianus (or Hadrianus), a Roman family name meaning "from Hadria." Hadria was a town in northern Italy near the Adriatic Sea.
Adrian is traditionally a boy's name. Although the feminine variation of the name is Adriana or Adrienne, the name Adrian is often used for girls as well.
Read on to learn about the name Adrian, its popularity, variations, and famous people with the name.
Origin: Adrian is a Latin name meaning "son of Adria." It is also of Greek origin, meaning "rich."
Gender: Adrian is most commonly used as a boy name but is used as a girl name as well. The feminine variation is Adriana or Adrienne.
Pronunciation: ah-dree-an
Editor's Note
Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes gender need not play a role in your name selection process. Instead, it’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.
How Popular Is the Name Adrian?
In 1900, the Social Security Administration ranked the name Adrian number 430 on its list of top baby names for boys. The name started to increase in popularity in the 1960s. By 1985, it had broken the top 100, reaching 93.
The name Adrian peaked at number 56 a few times, the first in 2008. It's held in the 50s and 60s since 2005. In 2023, it ranked 67.
The popularity of the masculine name Adrian likely correlated with a couple of pop-cultural references. From 2002 to 2009, Adrian Monk was the title character of an award-winning television series called Monk. The actor who played Adrian was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award each year of the series' eight-year run.
The name Adrian for girls did not enter the top 1,000 list until 1949 when it ranked 872. It fell off the list a few times during the following decade and started gaining popularity in the 1960s, though it has never been as popular for girls as it has been for boys. As a girl's name, Adrian peaked in popularity in 1983, when it ranked 440. It dropped off the list in 2001.
The popularity of the Rocky movie franchise might have promoted the name as an option for girls. The Rocky movie premiered in 1976 and featured a female character named Adrian, Rocky's wife. Five Rocky movies were made between the 1970s and 1990.
Related: These Baby Name Trends Will Be Popular in 2024
Name Variations
Adrian is an ancient name that goes back to the Etruscan race, an extinct Italic tribe. Spelling variations of the name include:
Adriann
Adrien
Adrion
Aidrian
Aydrien
Related: 200+ Baby Nicknames That Are as Cute as Your New Baby
Similar Names
Similar sounding names to Adrian include:
Aaron
Aiden
Aldan
Allan
Alvin
Anson
Anton
Auden
Austin
Suggested Sibling Names
Here are some sibling names that may be a good fit with Adrian:
Anthony
Asher
Beatrice
Cecilia
Dante
Fabian
Felicity
Felix
Hillary
Julia
Laura
Marcus
Patricia
Violet
Vivian
Related: How To Choose a First, Middle, and Last Name for Your Baby
Famous People Named Adrian
The name Adrian has been used since the Middle Ages, most notably for popes and politicians. Popular culture has also seen its share of characters named Adrian.
Famous Adrians and Adriens
Adrian Gonzalez: Baseball player who played Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets
Adrian Grenier: American actor, producer, and director? known for his portrayal of Vincent Chase in the television series Entourage
Adrian Peterson: American football player who earned numerous titles, including All-American, NFL MVP, and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Adrien Brody: American actor who received widespread recognition and acclaim after starring in the film The Pianist, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor
Adrien Jerome Broner: American professional boxer who has held multiple world championships in four weight classes
Fictional Adrians
Adrian Corbo: Marvel Comics superhero whose alias is Flex
Adrian Ivashkov: Teenage son in the TV show Vampire Academy
Adrian Leverkühn: The protagonist in the play Doctor Faustus
Adrian Monk: The protagonist in the award-winning television series Monk
Adrian Toomes: Marvel Comics villain whose alias is Vulture
Adrian Veidt: Character in the Watchmen graphic novel series whose alias is Ozymandias
Adrianna Pennino-Balboa: Character in the Rocky film series
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Parents.
