"lord, master"
Origin: Phoenician
Language: English
Adonis
Pronunciation: [ uhd-AHN-uhs ]
Boy Name
#206 Most Popular
Rising
3 Syllables
Mythology's most beautiful mortal, now a powerful baby name
American
Greek
Lebanese
Italian
Bold
Strong
Elegant
Unique
Classic
Meaning & Origin
"handsome young man"
Origin: Greek (cultural meaning)
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Heavy association with physical beauty may feel like pressure
The Story of Adonis
Adonis comes from the Greek form of the Phoenician name 'Adon', meaning 'lord' or 'master'. In Greek mythology, Adonis was the mortal lover of the goddess Aphrodite, renowned for his extraordinary beauty. The myth has his origins in the ancient Near Eastern cults of the dying-and-rising god, similar to Tammuz in Mesopotamian tradition. The name became synonymous with male physical perfection in Western culture.
Adonis has risen sharply as a given name in the United States since the 2000s, driven by the name's association with strength, beauty, and mythological grandeur. The film Creed (2015) featured a character named Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed, which renewed mainstream interest in the name.
In Lebanon and other Levantine countries, Adonis (written 'Aadonis' or 'Adounis') is used as a Christian name, honoring the ancient Phoenician heritage of the region. The Syrian-Lebanese poet Adonis (Ali Ahmad Said Esber) is one of the Arab world's most celebrated literary figures.
Fun Facts
- Adonis has been a top-500 US boys' name since 2013
- The Syrian-Lebanese poet Adonis is widely considered the greatest living Arab poet
- In Greek myth, the anemone flower sprang from Adonis's blood, and the name of the flower derives from his name
Adonis in Other Languages
Greek
Άδωνις
Arabic
أدونيس
French
Adonis
Italian
Adone
Spanish
Adonis
Famous People Named Adonis
A
Adonis (Ali Ahmad Said Esber)
Writer
1930
Syrian-Lebanese poet considered one of the greatest modern Arabic writers
A
Adonis (Greek mythology) Fictional
Other
Beautiful mortal youth and lover of Aphrodite in Greek mythology, symbol of male beauty
A
Adonis Creed Fictional
Other
Fictional champion boxer, son of Apollo Creed, protagonist of the Creed film series
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #206
- Total SSA Count
- 1,713
- Cultural Origins
- American Greek Lebanese Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Doni
Adi
Pairs Well With
Adonis James
Adonis Lee
Adonis Xavier
Adonis Michael
Adonis Ray
Adonis Marco
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Adonis is also used as a girl name, ranked #35589.
View Adonis as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Adonis
What does the name Adonis mean?
"lord, master" (from Phoenician). "handsome young man" (from Greek (cultural meaning)). Adonis comes from the Greek form of the Phoenician name 'Adon', meaning 'lord' or 'master'. In Greek mythology, Adonis was the mortal lover of the goddess Aphrodite, renowned for his extraordinary beauty. The myth has his origins in the ancient Near Eastern cults of the dying-and-rising god, similar to Tammuz in Mesopotamian tradition. The name became synonymous with male physical perfection in Western culture.
What is the origin of the name Adonis?
Adonis has Phoenician, Greek (cultural meaning), American, Greek, Lebanese, and Italian origins. In Phoenician, it means "lord, master". In Greek (cultural meaning), it means "handsome young man".
Is Adonis a boy or girl name?
Adonis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #206. As a girl name, it is ranked #35589. Adonis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Adonis?
Adonis is pronounced uhd-AHN-uhs.
How popular is the name Adonis?
Adonis is currently ranked #206 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Adonis?
Common nicknames for Adonis include Doni and Adi.
What are good middle names for Adonis?
Popular middle name pairings include Adonis James, Adonis Lee, Adonis Xavier, Adonis Michael, Adonis Ray, and Adonis Marco.
What are good sibling names for Adonis?
Names that pair well with Adonis as siblings include Apollo, Orion, Cassandra, Athena, Darius, and Zara.
How many syllables does Adonis have?
Adonis has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Adonis a common or rare name?
Adonis is a popular name, ranked #206 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Adonis
Adonis is a boy name with American, Greek, Lebanese, and Italian origins . The name means "lord, master" in Phoenician .
Is Adonis a boy or girl name? Adonis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #206 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #35,589. Adonis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Adonis is currently ranked #206 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Adonis has 3 syllables and is pronounced uhd-AHN-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Adonis include Doni and Adi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Adonis include Adonai, Adonnis, Adonay . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.