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Adams

♂ Boy

Pronounced AD-umz /ˈæd.əmz/High

Meaning: Son of Adam; from the Hebrew adam meaning man formed from the earthHigh

In 30 seconds: An English surname meaning 'son of Adam,' itself from the Hebrew adam meaning 'man' or 'earth.' As a first name, Adams carries distinguished presidential and literary associations.
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Origin HighHebrew, English
MeaningSon of Adam; from the Hebrew adam meaning man formed from the earth
U.S. rank (2024)#3207 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births37 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1983
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,196

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198318982024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Adams is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam,' where Adam comes from the Hebrew adamah, meaning earth or ground. In the biblical creation narrative, Adam was formed from the dust of the earth, giving the name a foundational human meaning. The surname Adams became widespread in Britain and Ireland.

As a given name, Adams follows the long-standing tradition of transferring distinguished surnames to first-name use, particularly in American naming culture. Parents may choose Adams to honor family heritage, presidential history, or simply for its strong, grounded sound. It is less common than Adam but carries an added air of distinction through its -s suffix.

Did you know? Adams is one of America's most storied surnames, borne by two U.S. presidents — John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams — making it one of only two father-son presidential pairs in U.S. history when used as a given name it carries that weighty heritage.
Overall data confidence 85%
Oxford Dictionary of Surnames — Adams as patronymic from AdamU.S. Social Security Administration — Adams as a registered first name

Variations

AdamAdamsonAdamas

Nicknames

AdamAd

Famous Bearers

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If you like Adams…

Adam— the base name from which Adams derives
Addison— son-of surname used as a given name with similar feel
Hudson
Mason— occupational surname used as a popular modern first name
Edison

Frequently Asked

What does the name Adams mean?

Adams means 'son of Adam,' a patronymic surname. Adam comes from Hebrew adamah, meaning earth or ground.

How do you pronounce Adams?

Adams is pronounced AD-umz /ˈæd.əmz/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Adams a boy or girl name?

Adams is used primarily as a boy's name when used as a given name.

How popular is Adams?

Adams is uncommon as a first name but carries strong name recognition through its use as a prominent surname in American history.