Adeline first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Adeline has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Adeline

Feminine diminutive of the medieval Germanic name Adela meaning "noble".

Popularity of Adeline by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Adeline is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Adeline being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 3,074 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Adeline.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 3,074
2022 0 2,812
2021 0 2,761
2020 0 2,716
2019 0 3,073
2018 0 3,488
2017 0 3,933
2016 6 4,118
2015 0 2,409
2014 0 1,530
2013 5 1,377
2012 0 1,343
2011 0 1,103
2010 0 990
2009 0 922
2008 0 910
2007 0 840
2006 0 676
2005 0 521
2004 0 480
2003 0 403
2002 0 364
2001 0 321
2000 0 282
1999 0 228
1998 0 181
1997 0 162
1996 0 127
1995 0 107
1994 0 99
1993 0 76
1992 0 71
1991 0 74
1990 0 55
1989 0 72
1988 0 57
1987 0 53
1986 0 47
1985 0 52
1984 0 38
1983 0 40
1982 0 38
1981 0 53
1980 0 42
1979 0 33
1978 0 40
1977 0 32
1976 0 23
1975 0 44
1974 0 41

The history of the first name Adeline

The name Adeline has its origins in the Germanic languages, deriving from the root word "adal" meaning "noble" or "nobility." It is a feminine form of the masculine name Adelin or Adelinus, which were used in various forms across Europe during the Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded use of the name Adeline dates back to the 9th century, when it appeared in French records. It gained popularity in France during the medieval period and was particularly favored among the nobility and upper classes, reflecting its connotations of nobility and distinction.

Adeline was also used in England during the Middle Ages, where it was sometimes spelled as "Adelina" or "Adelyna." One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Adeline of Normandy, the daughter of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, who lived in the 11th century.

In literature, the name Adeline appears in the works of various authors throughout history. One notable example is the character Adeline in the novel "The Romance of the Forest" by Ann Radcliffe, published in 1791. This helped to popularize the name during the 19th century.

Over the centuries, several notable women have borne the name Adeline. These include:

  1. Adeline Genée (1878-1970), a Danish ballet dancer and choreographer who was renowned for her technical mastery and artistry.
  2. Adeline Louisa Maria Hartpence Howland (1859-1934), an American educator and activist who fought for women's rights and educational reform.
  3. Adeline Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), the renowned English writer and one of the foremost modernist authors of the 20th century.
  4. Adeline de Walt Reynolds (1863-1961), an American philanthropist and art collector who helped establish the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
  5. Adeline Yen Mah (born 1937), a Chinese-American author and physician, best known for her autobiographical works exploring her difficult childhood.

While the name Adeline has roots in antiquity, it has endured through the centuries and remains a popular choice for parents today, reflecting its timeless elegance and aristocratic associations.

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

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

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"Adeline first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 13, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/adeline-meaning-and-history/.

"Adeline first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/adeline-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 December, 2024

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

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