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Home › Baby Names Directory › Adrian

Adrian

♂ Boy

Pronounced AY-dree-un /ˈeɪ.dri.ən/High

Meaning: From Hadria; man from the Adriatic region of northern ItalyHigh

In 30 seconds: A sleek Latin name meaning 'from Hadria,' the city that gave the Adriatic Sea its name. Borne by multiple popes including the only English pope, it pairs ancient roots with modern cool.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningFrom Hadria; man from the Adriatic region of northern Italy
U.S. rank (2025)#74 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births4,464 boys (0.26% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)≈ 272,216

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200818802025

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

Adrian comes from the Latin Hadrianus, meaning 'from Hadria' — an ancient city in northern Italy near the Adriatic Sea. The name was borne by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, builder of Hadrian's Wall in Britain.

Through the Church the name spread widely across Europe, carried by six popes. In modern times Adrian has been consistently popular in the United States and across Latin America in the form Adrián.

Did you know? Pope Adrian IV (Nicholas Breakspear, c. 1100–1159) remains the only English pope in history.

Variations

AdriánHadrianAdrienAdriano

Nicknames

AdeAdie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Hadrian (76–138 AD)
    Roman Emperor famous for building Hadrian's Wall across northern Britain.
  • ★Adrian IV (c. 1100–1159)
    The only English-born Pope in history, born Nicholas Breakspear.

If you like Adrian…

Julian— sleek Latin classic with the same Roman imperial pedigree
Roman— another Latin place-origin name with strong ancient feel
Sebastian— Latin classic with similar three-syllable elegance
Dominic— Latin saint's name with the same smooth sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Adrian mean?

Adrian comes from the Latin Hadrianus, meaning 'from Hadria,' an ancient city in northern Italy that gave the Adriatic Sea its name.

How do you pronounce Adrian?

It is said AY-dree-un /ˈeɪ.dri.ən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Adrian a boy or girl name?

Adrian is primarily a boy's name; Adriana and Adrienne are the main feminine forms.

How popular is Adrian?

Adrian has been a consistent top-100 U.S. boys' name for several decades.

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