MallowbyNames

Adel

عادلah-DEL · Just, fair, or righteous.

2025 rank (boys)
#4,707
Babies named in 2025
21
Peak popularity
2007
2025 frequency
1 in 81,337 boys
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady, #4,707 for boys today.

Popularity of Adel since 1888

Babies named Adel per year in U.S. Social Security records.

173552192019602000Most births 2007GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1880s50
1890s310
1900s500
1910s17010
1920s1946
1930s11711
1940s885
1950s1100
1960s7224
1970s7643
1980s77149
1990s56283
2000s127392
2010s184388
2020s137197

Meaning & origin

Adel is a name with deep roots in the Arabic word for justice, reflecting a value highly esteemed across many cultures. In the United States, its usage has been modest but steady since first appearing in Social Security records in 1914. The name reached its highest point of popularity in 2007, though it remains a relatively uncommon choice. Over the past decade, its trajectory has been stable, neither surging nor declining significantly. While Adel does not appear in the top baby names for any particular state, its consistent presence across decades speaks to its enduring appeal among families who value its ethical meaning and simple, multicultural sound.

Adel is an Arabic name derived from the root 'adl (عدل), meaning justice or fairness. It is a common masculine given name across the Arabic-speaking world and Muslim-majority countries, often chosen for its virtuous connotations. The name also appears as a unisex option in some cultures, although it is predominantly male.

Adel” around the world

Where Adel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    210

    babies in 2024

Sources: INSEE (France).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Addy, Dell

Variants: Adil, Adeel, Adiel

Sibling names for Adel

Names that share Adel's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Layla, Noor, Maya, Samira, Zara

Brothers: Omar, Ali, Rami, Tariq, Yusuf, Audel

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

A is for Adel, our favorite little person.

A is for Adel…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Adel's letter becomes Adel's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Adel's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Adel mean?
Adel means 'just' or 'fair' in Arabic.
How popular is the name Adel currently?
In 2025, Adel ranked 4707 in the U.S., with approximately 1 in every 81,337 newborns given this name.
Is Adel a boy or girl name?
Adel is considered unisex, though it is more commonly used for boys, especially in Arabic-speaking countries.