A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Adelaide since 1880
Babies named Adelaide per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Adelaide's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 879 |
| 1890s | 1,319 |
| 1900s | 1,547 |
| 1910s | 3,908 |
| 1920s | 3,344 |
| 1930s | 1,298 |
| 1940s | 866 |
| 1950s | 498 |
| 1960s | 243 |
| 1970s | 168 |
| 1980s | 286 |
| 1990s | 724 |
| 2000s | 2,919 |
| 2010s | 10,225 |
| 2020s | 6,783 |
Meaning & origin
Adelaide has a long history of use in the English-speaking world, first recorded in U.S. data in 1880. It reached its peak popularity in 1884, ranking among the top names of that era. After a period of decline, the name has been rising steadily since 1985, reflecting a broader revival of vintage names. In 2025, it ranked 289th, with about 1 in 1,513 girls receiving the name. It is particularly favored in states like Montana, Alaska, and New Hampshire. The name's enduring appeal lies in its combination of noble meaning and classic, feminine sound.
Adelaide is the English form of the Germanic name Adalheidis, derived from the elements adal (noble) and heit (kind, type). It was introduced to England by the Norman Conquest and became especially popular in the 19th century, influenced by the British Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV. The name has remained in steady use, with a notable revival in recent decades.
Where Adelaide 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.
“Adelaide” around the world
Where Adelaide lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
155
babies in 2024
Quebec
16
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Addie, Ada, Heidi, Adele, Della
Sibling names for Adelaide
Names that share Adelaide's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Charlotte, Eleanor, Grace, Violet, Beatrice, Arabella, Eugenia, Evelyn, Geneva, Augusta, Edwina, Elnora, Eugenie, Gisela, Griselda, Sabine, Abilene, Adelene, Ardath, Chesley, Christena, Elmira, Emeline, Henriette, Hildegarde, Mafalda, Mathilde, Adalene, Albany, Annaleise, Arietta, Carola, Celinda, Clemence, Clotilda, Clotilde, Ellanora, Eulalie, Gizella, Ottilia, Percilla, Robertha, Sylvania, Aberdeen, Adabelle, Adaliah, Adaliz, Adelai, Athalie, Charolett, Clothilde, Coraleigh, Deolinda, Ellenora, Emelda, Ernesta, Hellena, Romilda, Victoriana, Wilhemenia, Adoria, Anselma, Australia, Gerarda, Hildagard, Jennavie, Milicent, Octavie, Orabelle, Otillia, Verginia
Brothers: Henry, Oliver, William, Theodore, James, Everett, Baron, Clovis, Ferdinand, Hobart, Kaiser, Lambert, Sterling, Adelbert, Arvel, Barrington, Cornelious, Hilbert, Kimball, Rudolf, Adelard, Albertus, Aldric, Baldwin, Corinthian, Melbourne, Radford, Rembert, Alfonse, Clayburn, Emmerich, Ezeriah, Humbert, Remiel, Thaxton, Alarick, Allard, Bertran, Durante, Elonzo, Granvel, Ludger, Rodolph, Sigismund
Names like Adelaide
Names whose popularity has moved with Adelaide's over the last 50 years.
