Adelay first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Adelay has been for the last 15 years (from 2009 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Adelay

A feminine name derived from the Old French "Adele", meaning "noble and kind".

Popularity of Adelay by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Adelay is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Adelay.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 5
2022 0 6
2021 0 6
2020 0 5
2019 0 6
2017 0 6
2016 0 5
2015 0 5
2014 0 7
2013 0 6
2012 0 6
2009 0 8

The history of the first name Adelay

The name Adelay has its origins in the medieval French language, derived from the Germanic elements "adal," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic," and "leit," meaning "people" or "leader." It was a popular name among the nobility and ruling classes during the Middle Ages, particularly in northern France and the Low Countries.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, the name Adelay gained prominence as it was borne by several notable figures in European history. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Adelay of Vermandois (c. 1065-1120), a powerful countess who ruled over the County of Vermandois in northern France. She played a significant role in the political affairs of the region and was known for her military prowess and leadership skills.

Another notable figure with the name Adelay was Adelay of Burgundy (c. 1109-1162), a French noblewoman who served as the Countess of Viennois and played a crucial role in the administration of the County of Burgundy during the 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name Adelay was associated with Adelay de Ponthieu (c. 1199-1246), a French noblewoman who inherited the County of Ponthieu and held significant influence in the region. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support for religious institutions.

Moving into the Renaissance period, the name Adelay was borne by Adelay de Savoie (1452-1497), a member of the House of Savoy and the Duchess of Milan through her marriage to Gian Galeazzo Sforza. She played an important role in the political and cultural affairs of the Duchy of Milan during the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, Adelay de Béthune (c. 1520-1580) was a French noblewoman and the Countess of Sault. She was known for her literary pursuits and her patronage of the arts, supporting numerous poets and writers during her lifetime.

While the name Adelay has its roots in medieval Europe, it has been used across various cultures and time periods, often adapted to suit local languages and traditions. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the noble and aristocratic circles of medieval France and the surrounding regions.

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 Adelay was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Adelay first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 18, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/adelay-meaning-and-history/.

"Adelay first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/adelay-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 18 July, 2025

Adelay first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/adelay-meaning-and-history/.

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