Find out how popular the first name Adolphus has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Adolphus by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Adolphus is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Adolphus.

The history of the first name Adolphus

The name Adolphus has its origins in the Germanic languages, deriving from the Old High German "Adalholf" or "Athalwolf." These roots can be traced back to the 8th century AD. The name itself is a compound of two elements: "adal" meaning noble, and "wolf" meaning wolf or heroic. Thus, the name Adolphus carries the meaning of "noble wolf" or "noble warrior."

In the early medieval period, the name Adolphus was primarily used within Germanic cultures, particularly among the Franks and Saxons. It gained popularity as a name for nobles and warriors, reflecting the values of strength, courage, and nobility associated with the wolf symbolism.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Adolphus can be found in the Carolingian dynasty of the 9th century. Adolphus, Count of Burgundy (862-923), was a prominent figure during the reign of Charles the Simple, King of West Francia.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Adolphus. Among them are Adolphus of Nassau (1250-1298), a German nobleman and Count of Nassau; Adolphus Frederick II (1658-1694), Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; and Adolphus Cambridge (1774-1850), the tenth child of King George III of the United Kingdom.

In the realm of literature, the name Adolphus appears in the works of William Shakespeare. In his play "The Comedy of Errors," one of the twins is named Antipholus of Ephesus, while his brother is called Antipholus of Syracuse. The name Adolphus is also mentioned in Samuel Johnson's "The Idler," a series of essays published in the 18th century.

Another significant figure bearing the name Adolphus was Adolphus Busch (1839-1913), the co-founder of the Anheuser-Busch brewing company in the United States. His impact on the brewing industry and his role in the development of Budweiser beer have made him a prominent figure in American business history.

In the field of science, Adolphus Greely (1844-1935) was an American polar explorer and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his leadership during the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition in the Arctic regions.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Adolphus, reflecting its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!