"noble, nobility, of noble kind"
Origin: Germanic
Language: French
Adeline
Pronunciation: [ AD-uhl-eyen ]
Girl Name
#58 Most Popular
Rising
4 Syllables
Norman nobility meets barbershop warmth in four graceful syllables
French
English
German
American
Vintage
Elegant
Romantic
Classic
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"noble kind, of noble birth"
Origin: Old High German
Language: English
"of noble lineage"
Origin: Old German adal
Language: English
The Story of Adeline
Adeline is a French diminutive of Adele, derived from the Germanic root adal meaning noble or nobility. The name arrived in England with the Norman Conquest in 1066, carried by the daughters of Norman nobility who found it chic and aristocratic. The 1903 barbershop classic Sweet Adeline made it a beloved name in American popular culture, sung at countless gatherings through the early 20th century. Today it has an irresistible combination of aristocratic heritage and warm accessibility.
Adeline has been surging in popularity since 2010, driven by the vintage name revival and the film The Age of Adaline (2015) with Blake Lively. It entered the US top 50 for girls and continues to rise, appealing to parents who want an elegant name with strong nickname options. Parents love that Addie is playful for childhood while Adeline is poised for adulthood.
Adeline and its variants were royal names throughout medieval Europe, borne by daughters of Norman and German noble houses. Virginia Woolf was born Adeline Virginia Stephen—one of the most influential writers in the English language carried this name as her given first name, though she used her middle name.
Fun Facts
- Virginia Woolf was born Adeline Virginia Stephen—Adeline was her given first name though she never used it
- Sweet Adeline (You're the Flower of My Heart) (1903) became one of the most beloved American barbershop songs of all time
- The 2015 film The Age of Adaline starring Blake Lively as an immortal woman sparked renewed interest in the Adaline/Adeline spelling
Adeline in Other Languages
Dutch
Adelijn
French
Adeline
German
Adelinde
Italian
Adelina
Spanish
Adelina
Portuguese
Adelina
Famous People Named Adeline
A
Adele
Musician
1988
British singer-songwriter born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, one of the bestselling music artists of all time
A
Adeline Virginia Woolf
Writer
1882
British modernist novelist known as Virginia Woolf, born Adeline Virginia Stephen, author of Mrs Dalloway and To the Lig...
British modernist novelist known as Virginia Woolf, born Adeline Virginia Stephen, author of Mrs Dalloway and To the Lighthouse
A
Adeline Genee
Artist
1878
Danish-British ballet dancer and founder of the Royal Academy of Dance
A
Adaline Bowman Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the 2015 film The Age of Adaline, played by Blake Lively—a woman who stops aging after a near-death exper...
Protagonist of the 2015 film The Age of Adaline, played by Blake Lively—a woman who stops aging after a near-death experience in 1935
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #58
- Total SSA Count
- 3,723
- Cultural Origins
- French English German American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Addie
Addy
Ada
Lina
Dell
Pairs Well With
Adeline Rose
Adeline Grace
Adeline Louise
Adeline Claire
Adeline Anne
Adeline Marie
Adeline Jane
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Adeline is also used as a boy name, ranked #20444.
View Adeline as a boy name →Similar Names
Same Origin Names (French)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Adeline
What does the name Adeline mean?
"noble, nobility, of noble kind" (from Germanic). "noble kind, of noble birth" (from Old High German). "of noble lineage" (from Old German adal). Adeline is a French diminutive of Adele, derived from the Germanic root adal meaning noble or nobility. The name arrived in England with the Norman Conquest in 1066, carried by the daughters of Norman nobility who found it chic and aristocratic. The 1903 barbershop classic Sweet Adeline made it a beloved name in American popular culture, sung at countless gatherings through the early 20th century. Today it has an irresistible combination of aristocratic heritage and warm accessibility.
What is the origin of the name Adeline?
Adeline has Germanic, Old High German, Old German adal, French, English, German, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "noble, nobility, of noble kind". In Old High German, it means "noble kind, of noble birth". In Old German adal, it means "of noble lineage".
Is Adeline a boy or girl name?
Adeline is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #58. As a boy name, it is ranked #20444. Adeline is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Adeline?
Adeline is pronounced AD-uhl-eyen.
How popular is the name Adeline?
Adeline is currently ranked #58 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Adeline?
Common nicknames for Adeline include Addie, Addy, Ada, Lina, and Dell.
What are good middle names for Adeline?
Popular middle name pairings include Adeline Rose, Adeline Grace, Adeline Louise, Adeline Claire, Adeline Anne, Adeline Marie, and Adeline Jane.
What are good sibling names for Adeline?
Names that pair well with Adeline as siblings include Theodore, Sebastian, Eloise, Arabella, Edmund, Violet, and Cornelius.
How many syllables does Adeline have?
Adeline has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Adeline a common or rare name?
Adeline is a very popular name, ranked #58 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Adeline
Adeline is a girl name with French, English, German, and American origins . The name means "noble, nobility, of noble kind" in Germanic .
Is Adeline a boy or girl name? Adeline is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #58 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,444. Adeline is more commonly used as a girl name.
Adeline is currently ranked #58 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Adeline has 4 syllables and is pronounced AD-uhl-eyen, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Adeline include Addie, Addy, Ada, Lina, and Dell. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Adeline include Adelaide, Adelyn, Adelina, Adelynn, Adele . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.