"The lord is high"
Adoniram
An ancient Hebrew name carrying the weight of scripture and history.
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Adoniram
Adoniram is a compound Hebrew name combining 'Adon' (lord, master) and 'ram' (exalted, high). It literally means 'my lord is exalted' or 'the lord is high.' In the Old Testament, Adoniram was the official in charge of the forced labor under Kings David and Solomon (1 Kings 4:6, 5:14). The name reflects the deeply theocentric naming tradition of ancient Israel, where names often expressed devotion or praise to God.
Adoniram was never a common name even in its Biblical heyday, but it saw some use among Puritan and early American Protestant communities who favored Old Testament names as expressions of faith. The most notable American bearer was Adoniram Judson (1788–1850), the pioneering Baptist missionary to Burma, which gave the name a small surge in 19th-century New England. Today it is extremely rare.
In the Old Testament, Adoniram (also spelled Adoram) served as treasurer of forced labor under David and Solomon. His role was significant enough that he is mentioned multiple times, though he was ultimately stoned to death by Israelites rebelling against Rehoboam. The name carries resonance in Christian missionary history through Adoniram Judson, whose translation of the Bible into Burmese is still in use today.
Fun Facts
- Adoniram Judson was the first Protestant missionary to Burma and translated the entire Bible into Burmese — a translation still used today.
- The name appears in the Bible under two slightly different spellings: Adoniram and Adoram.
- Freemasonry has historically honored a figure called 'Hiram Abiff,' sometimes conflated with Adoniram, as a symbolic master builder of Solomon's Temple.
Adoniram in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Famous People Named Adoniram
Adoniram Judson Gordon
Religious
1836
19th-century American Baptist pastor, theologian, and hymn writer; co-founder of what became Gordon College.
Adoniram Judson
Religious
1788
Pioneer American Baptist missionary to Burma (Myanmar), translator of the first Burmese Bible and Burmese-English dictio...
Pioneer American Baptist missionary to Burma (Myanmar), translator of the first Burmese Bible and Burmese-English dictionary.
Adoniram (Biblical figure)
Other
Official over forced labor under Kings David and Solomon in the Old Testament, mentioned in 1 Kings and 2 Samuel.
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #15,800
- Total SSA Count
- 7
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Biblical American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Adoniram
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About the Name Adoniram
Adoniram is a boy name with Hebrew, Biblical, and American origins . The name means "The lord is high" in Hebrew .
Adoniram is currently ranked #15,800 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Adoniram has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Adoniram include Ado, Ronny, Ram, and Don. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Adoniram include Adonis, Adonai, Adonnis, Adonay . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.