Adelaide
Borrowed from French Adélaïde, from Old High German Adalheid (from adal (“noble”) + heit (“nature, character”)), modern German Adelheid; doublet of Alice.
Every Adelaide since 1880 — 35,007 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Adelaide
Adelaide is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #289 in 2025 with 1,062 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 35,007 American babies have been named Adelaide. Its peak came in 2016, when 1,240 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Adelaide stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Adelaide year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,062 | #289 |
| 2024 | 1,161 | #271 |
| 2023 | 1,106 | #286 |
| 2022 | 1,122 | #282 |
| 2021 | 1,192 | #261 |
| 2020 | 1,140 | #272 |
| 2019 | 1,065 | #304 |
| 2018 | 1,118 | #297 |
| 2017 | 1,163 | #277 |
| 2016 | 1,240 | #255 |
| 2015 | 1,163 | #272 |
| 2014 | 1,050 | #317 |
| 2013 | 1,020 | #320 |
| 2012 | 920 | #346 |
| 2011 | 775 | #408 |
| 2010 | 711 | #434 |
| 2009 | 535 | #571 |
| 2008 | 558 | #551 |
| 2007 | 410 | #713 |
| 2006 | 285 | #926 |
| 2005 | 278 | #901 |
| 2004 | 211 | #1,086 |
| 2003 | 167 | #1,254 |
| 2002 | 174 | #1,179 |
| 2001 | 167 | #1,213 |
| 2000 | 134 | #1,387 |
| 1995 | 62 | #2,155 |
| 1990 | 41 | #2,799 |
| 1985 | 30 | #3,009 |
| 1980 | 19 | #3,992 |
| 1975 | 17 | #3,774 |
| 1970 | 14 | #4,038 |
| 1965 | 18 | #2,938 |
| 1960 | 36 | #1,887 |
| 1955 | 44 | #1,537 |
| 1950 | 64 | #1,153 |
| 1945 | 67 | #925 |
| 1940 | 110 | #660 |
| 1935 | 102 | #646 |
| 1930 | 209 | #465 |
| 1925 | 308 | #391 |
| 1920 | 471 | #299 |
| 1915 | 502 | #262 |
| 1910 | 206 | #270 |
| 1905 | 130 | #291 |
| 1900 | 183 | #233 |
| 1895 | 142 | #230 |
| 1890 | 102 | #242 |
| 1885 | 94 | #194 |
| 1880 | 65 | #186 |
Famous people named Adelaide
- Adelaide of Italy Companion · 931–999
- Adelaide of Maurienne Politician · 1092–1154
- Adelaide of Austria Companion · 1822–1855
- Adelaide of Aquitaine Companion · 950–1004
- Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen Companion · 1792–1849
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Adelaide mean?
Borrowed from French Adélaïde, from Old High German Adalheid (from adal (“noble”) + heit (“nature, character”)), modern German Adelheid; doublet of Alice.
How popular is the name Adelaide in 2025?
Adelaide ranked #289 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,062 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Adelaide?
35,007 babies have been named Adelaide in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Adelaide most popular?
Adelaide peaked in 2016, when 1,240 newborns received the name.
Is Adelaide a boy or girl name?
Adelaide is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Adelaide rising or falling?
Adelaide has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Adelaide?
Well-known people named Adelaide include Adelaide of Italy (companion), Adelaide of Maurienne (politician), Adelaide of Austria (companion).