"noble, nobility"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Adele
Pronunciation: [ uhd-EHL ]
Does Adele flow with your last name?
A noble classic soaring on Adele's voice
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German
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"of noble kind"
Origin: Old High German
Language: German
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with British singer Adele (born 1988); may feel like naming a child after the celebrity
The Story of Adele
Adele derives from the Germanic element 'adal' meaning 'noble'. It is related to Adelaide, Adeline, and Adela — all sharing the same noble root. The name was used by medieval European nobility and is borne by figures from Adele of Champagne (Queen of France, 12th century) to Adele of Normandy (daughter of William the Conqueror). The French form Adèle has been particularly enduring in French culture.
Adele was a classic but somewhat old-fashioned name until British singer Adele Laurie Blue Adkins launched her career with the album '19' in 2008. Her subsequent albums '21' and '25' became two of the best-selling albums of all time, making her one of the world's biggest stars. The name Adele saw dramatic increases in popularity globally following her rise, particularly after the song 'Hello' (2015).
Adèle Hugo, Victor Hugo's daughter, had her tragic story told in François Truffaut's film 'The Story of Adele H.' (1975). The name carries centuries of French and Germanic cultural weight. Today it is irrevocably linked to the British singer Adele, whose music has been a global cultural phenomenon across multiple generations.
Historical Record
Adele first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 15,490 babies have been named Adele in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Adele is past its peak , currently ranked #799 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Singer Adele's album '21' is one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 31 million copies sold
- Adele of Champagne was Queen of France as wife of King Louis VII in the 12th century
- The name shares its 'noble' root with Adelaide, Adeline, Adolf, and Alberta
Adele in Other Languages
French
Adèle
German
Adele
Polish
Adela
Italian
Adele
Russian
Адель
Spanish
Adela
Popularity Over Time
#799
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1952
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Adele
A
Adele
Musician
1988
British soul and pop singer with record-breaking albums '21' and '25', known for 'Hello', 'Rolling in the Deep', and 'So...
British soul and pop singer with record-breaking albums '21' and '25', known for 'Hello', 'Rolling in the Deep', and 'Someone Like You'
A
Adèle Hugo
Other
1830
Daughter of Victor Hugo whose troubled life and unrequited love inspired Truffaut's 1975 film 'The Story of Adele H.'
A
Adele of Champagne
Royalty
1140
Queen of France as the third wife of King Louis VII, mother of Philip II Augustus
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Compare Adele with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #799
- Total SSA Count
- 351
- Cultural Origins
- French English German Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Del
Delly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English 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
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Adele
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Adele is also used as a boy name, ranked #20005.
View Adele as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Adele
What does the name Adele mean?
"noble, nobility" (from Germanic). "of noble kind" (from Old High German). Adele derives from the Germanic element 'adal' meaning 'noble'. It is related to Adelaide, Adeline, and Adela — all sharing the same noble root. The name was used by medieval European nobility and is borne by figures from Adele of Champagne (Queen of France, 12th century) to Adele of Normandy (daughter of William the Conqueror). The French form Adèle has been particularly enduring in French culture.
What is the origin of the name Adele?
Adele has Germanic, Old High German, French, English, German, and Italian origins. In Germanic, it means "noble, nobility". In Old High German, it means "of noble kind".
Is Adele a boy or girl name?
Adele is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #799. As a boy name, it is ranked #20005. Adele is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Adele?
Adele is pronounced uhd-EHL.
How popular is the name Adele?
Adele is currently ranked #799 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Adele?
Common nicknames for Adele include Del and Delly.
What are good middle names for Adele?
Popular middle name pairings include Adele Rose, Adele Grace, Adele Marie, Adele Louise, Adele Claire, and Adele Jane.
What are good sibling names for Adele?
Names that pair well with Adele as siblings include Eloise, Vivienne, Celine, Hugo, Marcel, and Edouard.
How many syllables does Adele have?
Adele has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Adele a common or rare name?
Adele is moderately common, ranked #799 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Adele?
About the Name Adele
Adele is a girl name with French, English, German, and Italian origins . The name means "noble, nobility" in Germanic .
Is Adele a boy or girl name? Adele is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #799 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,005. Adele is more commonly used as a girl name.
Adele is currently ranked #799 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Adele has 2 syllables and is pronounced uhd-EHL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Adele include Del and Delly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Adele include Adeline, Adelaide, Adelyn, Adelina, Adelynn . 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