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Admiral
How to Pronounce Admiral
Pronounced AD-mur-ul /ˈædmərəl/High
Meaning: Admiral is the English naval rank pressed into service as a first name. The word travels from Arabic amir, 'commander' or 'prince', in the phrase amir-al-, 'commander of the...', through medieval Latin and French into English. As a given name it is an aspirational word-name, in the same spirit as naming a boy Earl, King or Major.Low
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
Admiral takes the naval rank as a given name, its root reaching back through French and Latin to the Arabic amir, 'commander'. Like Major, King and Earl, it was chosen now and then by American families who liked a title's ring, especially around the turn of the twentieth century.
It was never more than a rarity, reaching only a couple dozen boys a year around 1898 before scattering. An Admiral from that time belongs to a great-grandfather's generation now, and the name reads as a proud, aspirational word-name rather than a traditional one.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Admiral mean?
It's the naval rank used as a name, from Arabic amir, 'commander' or 'chief'.
How do you pronounce Admiral?
It's said AD-mur-ul /ˈædmərəl/, three syllables, stress on the first.
Is Admiral a boy or girl name?
Admiral is used as a boy's name.
Is Admiral a popular name?
No, it was always rare, an aspirational rank-name seen only faintly around the turn of the twentieth century.