Adela

♀ Girl

Pronounced uh-DEL-uh /əˈdɛl.ə/High

Meaning: Noble; from Germanic adal (noble), short form of names like Adelaide or AdelheidHigh

In 30 seconds: A trim Germanic name meaning 'noble,' a short form of Adelaide or Adelheid. Saint Adela of Normandy was a daughter of William the Conqueror, giving the name royal Norman heritage alongside its ancient Germanic roots.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighGermanic

MeaningNoble; from Germanic adal (noble), short form of names like Adelaide or Adelheid

U.S. rank (2025)#1151 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births201 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2015

Total births (all-time)≈ 14,103

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Adela is a short form of Germanic names containing the element adal (noble), such as Adelaide, Adelheid, and Adeline. The root adal appears in many Germanic personal names and ultimately gave us 'noble' in English through Old French.

Adela was used in medieval Europe through Norman influence and has remained in use in English and Spanish communities. It ranked #1095 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Adela of Normandy (c.1067–1137), daughter of William the Conqueror, was one of the most powerful women of her age — she ruled the County of Blois as regent and was the mother of King Stephen of England.

Overall data confidence 94%

Behind the Name — Adela — Germanic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AdelaideAdelineAdelleAdela

Nicknames

AddieDelDella

Famous Bearers

★Adela of Normandy (1067–1137)
Daughter of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders; Countess of Blois, regent, and mother of King Stephen of England.

If you like Adela…

Adelaide— the full form from which Adela derives

Adeline— the -line extension of the same Germanic noble root

Adele— the French form of the same name, associated with the singer

Eleanor— medieval French/German noble name in the same vintage tier

Beatrice— Italian/Latin medieval noble name from the same era

Explore names like Adela

By themeclassic short vintage germanic three-syllable noble

By meaningRoyal / Noble

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Adela mean?

Adela means 'noble,' from the Germanic root adal, and is a short form of names like Adelaide and Adelheid.

How do you pronounce Adela?

It's said uh-DEL-uh — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Adela a boy or girl name?

Adela is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Adela?

Adela ranked #1095 for U.S. girls in 2024.