Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1922

Adolphus

Meaning From Latin Adolphus Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists

From Latin Adolphus. Doublet of Adolph.

Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Adolphus
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1922
85 babies
All-time total
4,109
#2,040 all-time among boys
First recorded
1880
in Social Security records

Adolphus popularity over time

4,109 babies have been named Adolphus since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.080.150.230.318801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1893Boys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Boys Per year Change Best rank
1880s 189 19 – #355
1890s 178 18 -6% #330
1900s 149 15 -16% #525
1910s 531 53 +256% #537
1920s 643 64 +21% #709
1930s 525 53 -18% #769
1940s 474 47 -10% #786
1950s 503 50 +6% #906
1960s 325 33 -35% #1,152
1970s 202 20 -38% #1,721
1980s 175 18 -13% #2,213
1990s 116 12 -34% #3,752
2000s 63 6 -46% #5,673
2010s 31 3 -51% #8,842
2020s (to 2025) 5 1 -73% #12,393

The story of Adolphus

Adolphus is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 4,109 American babies have been named Adolphus. Its peak came in 1922, when 85 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

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 Adolphus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Adolphus?

The median living Adolphus is about 63 years old; half are between 46 and 74. An estimated 1,500 people named Adolphus are alive in the United States today.

median 63 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Adolphus year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 5 #12,393
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 5 #12,193
2017 – –
2016 8 #8,842
2015 6 #10,687
2014 6 #10,749
2013 – –
2012 6 #10,810
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 – –
2008 – –
2007 9 #8,177
2006 6 #10,687
2005 7 #9,131
2004 11 #6,529
2003 8 #7,851
2002 – –
2001 12 #5,673
2000 10 #6,322
1995 16 #3,857
1990 13 #4,170
1985 21 #2,427
1980 23 #2,213
1975 25 #1,885
1970 23 #1,847
1965 33 #1,335
1960 46 #1,152
1955 67 #906
1950 54 #934
1945 37 #1,056
1940 50 #893
1935 54 #850
1930 56 #885
1925 49 #973
1920 72 #785
1915 64 #751
1910 28 #537
1905 19 #525
1900 19 #555
1895 22 #414
1890 15 #491
1885 24 #355
1880 17 #425

Famous people named Adolphus

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

  1. 1 Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge British peer and soldier (1868–1927) 19th century
  2. 2 Adolphus Greely Adolphus Greely American polar explorer and army general (1844–1935) 19th century
  3. 3 Adolphus Frederick V, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Adolphus Frederick V, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz from 1904 to 1914 1848–1914 · 19th century
  4. 4 Adolphus Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Adolphus Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 1738–1794 · 18th century
  5. 5 Adolphus Frederick II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Adolphus Frederick II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 1658–1708 · 17th century
  6. 6 Adolphus Frederick VI, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Adolphus Frederick VI, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz from 1914 to 1918 1882–1918 · 19th century
  7. 7 Adolphus Frederick III, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Adolphus Frederick III, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 1686–1752 · 17th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Adolphus, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Adolphus?

The median living Adolphus is about 63 years old. Half of all living Adolphuss are between 46 and 74 years old.

How many people named Adolphus are alive today?

An estimated 1,500 people named Adolphus are alive in the United States, based on 4,109 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Adolphus mean?

From Latin Adolphus. Doublet of Adolph.

How popular is the name Adolphus in 2025?

Adolphus did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Adolphus?

4,109 babies have been named Adolphus in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Adolphus most popular?

Adolphus peaked in 1922, when 85 newborns received the name.

Is Adolphus a boy or girl name?

Adolphus is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Adolphus rising or falling?

Adolphus is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Adolphus?

Well-known people named Adolphus include Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge (politician), Adolphus Greely (explorer), Adolphus Frederick V, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (politician).

Names like Adolphus

Names that sound and feel close to Adolphus: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Adolphus with similar names → More names starting with A →