"man, mankind, human"
Origin: Hebrew (adamah, earth)
Language: English
Adam
Pronunciation: [ AD-uhm ]
Does Adam flow with your last name?
The first name ever given, meaning earth and man
Hebrew
English
Arabic
Christian
Jewish
Muslim
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Spiritual
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"red earth, made from the ground"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"earth (in Arabic, adama)"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
"man, human being"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"red earth, ground"
Origin: Hebrew adamah
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Adam
Adam is one of the oldest names in recorded human history, derived from the Hebrew adamah meaning earth or ground, and adom meaning red (referring to the reddish clay of the earth). In the Book of Genesis, Adam was the name given to the first man created by God, formed from the dust of the ground. The name exists in virtually identical form across Hebrew, Arabic, and dozens of other languages.
Adam has been consistently popular for millennia and shows no sign of fading. In the US, it peaked in the 1980s when it ranked in the top 20, but has remained solidly in the top 100. Its biblical origin and simple two-syllable form give it timeless appeal across generations.
Adam holds the unique distinction of being the name of the first human in three major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Islam, Adam is revered as a prophet. The name is found in virtually every culture touched by Abrahamic religion and carries the weight of all human origin.
Historical Record
Adam first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 560,176 babies have been named Adam in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Adam is past its peak , currently ranked #100 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Adam is the first human name recorded in the Hebrew Bible, making it possibly the oldest personal name in Western civilization
- Adam is recognized as a prophet in Islam, where he is called Adam in the Quran
- The name Adam appears in the top 100 in virtually every English-speaking country simultaneously for over 100 years
Adam in Other Languages
Arabic
Adam
French
Adam
German
Adam
Hebrew
Adam
Persian
Adam
Spanish
Adan
Swahili
Adamu
Turkish
Adem
Popularity Over Time
#100
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1983
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Adam
A
Adam Driver
Actor
1983
American actor known for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Marriage Story, and BlacKkKlansman
A
Adam Sandler
Entertainer
1966
American comedian, actor, and filmmaker known for Saturday Night Live and blockbuster comedies
A
Adam Smith
Scientist
1723
Scottish economist and philosopher, father of modern economics, author of The Wealth of Nations
A
Adam (Genesis)
Religious
The first human being created by God in the Book of Genesis, according to Abrahamic religions
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #100
- Total SSA Count
- 3,497
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English Arabic Christian Jewish Muslim
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Ad
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Adam
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Adam is also used as a girl name, ranked #17282.
View Adam as a girl name →Similar Names
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Compare Adam with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Adam
What does the name Adam mean?
"man, mankind, human" (from Hebrew (adamah, earth)). "red earth, made from the ground" (from Hebrew). "earth (in Arabic, adama)" (from Arabic). "man, human being" (from Hebrew). "red earth, ground" (from Hebrew adamah). Adam is one of the oldest names in recorded human history, derived from the Hebrew adamah meaning earth or ground, and adom meaning red (referring to the reddish clay of the earth). In the Book of Genesis, Adam was the name given to the first man created by God, formed from the dust of the ground. The name exists in virtually identical form across Hebrew, Arabic, and dozens of other languages.
What is the origin of the name Adam?
Adam has Hebrew (adamah, earth), Hebrew, Arabic, Hebrew adamah, English, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim origins. In Hebrew (adamah, earth), it means "man, mankind, human". In Hebrew, it means "red earth, made from the ground". In Arabic, it means "earth (in Arabic, adama)". In Hebrew, it means "man, human being". In Hebrew adamah, it means "red earth, ground".
Is Adam a boy or girl name?
Adam is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #100. As a girl name, it is ranked #17282. Adam is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Adam?
Adam is pronounced AD-uhm.
How popular is the name Adam?
Adam is currently ranked #100 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Adam?
Popular middle name pairings include Adam James, Adam Thomas, Adam Michael, Adam Joseph, Adam Robert, Adam William, and Adam Edward.
What are good sibling names for Adam?
Names that pair well with Adam as siblings include Eve, Noah, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Samuel, and Ruth.
How many syllables does Adam have?
Adam has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Adam a common or rare name?
Adam is a very popular name, ranked #100 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Adam?
About the Name Adam
Adam is a boy name with Hebrew, English, Arabic, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim origins . The name means "man, mankind, human" in Hebrew (adamah, earth) .
Is Adam a boy or girl name? Adam is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #100 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,282. Adam is more commonly used as a boy name.
Adam is currently ranked #100 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Adam has 2 syllables and is pronounced AD-uhm, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Adam include Ad. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Adam include Adan, Adael, Adair, Adams . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis