A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Adela since 1880
Babies named Adela per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2015, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Adela's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 147 |
| 1890s | 307 |
| 1900s | 377 |
| 1910s | 1,040 |
| 1920s | 1,246 |
| 1930s | 805 |
| 1940s | 1,043 |
| 1950s | 1,180 |
| 1960s | 903 |
| 1970s | 792 |
| 1980s | 704 |
| 1990s | 1,050 |
| 2000s | 1,367 |
| 2010s | 1,877 |
| 2020s | 1,267 |
Meaning & origin
Adela has quietly maintained a presence in American baby names for over a century. First recorded in 1880, it reached its peak rank of 1150 in 1889, reflecting a broader era of Germanic and Victorian names. After a long decline, the name has been on a rising trajectory since 1987, with a revival in popularity that has made it once again a familiar choice. While never ubiquitous, Adela has seen particular favor in states like Colorado, Wisconsin, and Maryland. Its return to fashion reflects a growing interest in classic, understated names with a clear noble meaning.
Adela is the short form of names beginning with the Germanic element 'adal' meaning 'noble'. It was borne by various European nobility, including Adela of Normandy, daughter of William the Conqueror. The name saw moderate use in the English-speaking world in the 19th century and has retained steady usage, particularly in Spanish- and German-speaking countries.
Where Adela is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Adela” around the world
Where Adela lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ada, Della, Addie
Sibling names for Adela
Names that share Adela's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ada, Clara, Ella, Emma, Lena, Alida, Arcelia, Arminda, Rosia, Ardena, Jaquita, Valeta, Alyda, Bernarda
Brothers: Albert, Charles, Edward, Oscar, Otto, Bernabe, Conrado, Cosme, Horacio, Eleno, Ruperto, Adelaido, Audel, Benancio, Eliberto, Gumaro, Honorio, Liborio, Ponciano, Wenceslao, Bacilio, Emeterio, Matyas
