Find out how popular the first name Adama has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Adama by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Adama is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 60% of people named Adama being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 female babies and 15 male babies born with the name Adama.

The history of the first name Adama

The name Adama has its origins in several ancient languages and cultures. It is believed to be derived from the Hebrew word "adamah," meaning "earth" or "soil." This connection to the earth and nature can be traced back to the biblical story of Adam, the first man created by God from the dust of the ground.

In the Akan language spoken in parts of West Africa, "Adama" is a variation of the name "Adam," which also has Hebrew roots. The name gained popularity in the region due to the influence of Christianity and Islamic traditions that reference the biblical story of Adam.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Adama can be found in the ancient Sumerian cuneiform tablets from Mesopotamia, dating back to around 2500 BCE. These tablets mention an individual named "Adama-nunu," which translates to "the man from the earth."

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the name "Adama" was associated with the goddess of fertility and renewal, often depicted as a woman emerging from the earth. This connection to the regenerative powers of nature further reinforced the name's symbolic meaning.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Adama. One of the earliest recorded was Adama, a Nubian king who ruled in the 3rd century BCE in what is now modern-day Sudan. Another famous bearer of the name was Adama Diop, a Senegalese historian and anthropologist (1923-1986), known for his influential work on African history and culture.

In the realm of literature, Adama is the name of a powerful sorcerer in the epic poem "Sundiata," which chronicles the life of the legendary ruler of the Mali Empire in the 13th century CE. The name also appears in the ancient Sumerian epic of Gilgamesh, where Adama is mentioned as a wise and respected figure.

Other notable individuals named Adama include Adama Traoré (1936-2020), a prominent Malian politician and former Prime Minister, and Adama Dieng (born 1959), a Senegalese lawyer and United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.

The name Adama continues to be popular in various parts of the world, particularly in West Africa and among communities with connections to the ancient Near East and North Africa. Its enduring appeal lies in its deep-rooted symbolism and connection to the earth, fertility, and the regenerative cycles of nature.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Adama was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Adama, please contact us.

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