Declining since 2012, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Adlai since 1891
Babies named Adlai per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1952, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Adlai's real moment was 1892.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 37 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 |
| 1910s | 0 | 0 |
| 1920s | 0 | 21 |
| 1930s | 0 | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 104 |
| 1960s | 0 | 16 |
| 1970s | 0 | 12 |
| 1980s | 0 | 35 |
| 1990s | 5 | 51 |
| 2000s | 23 | 109 |
| 2010s | 39 | 157 |
| 2020s | 21 | 61 |
Meaning & origin
Adlai is a biblical Hebrew name meaning "God is just," with roots in the Old Testament. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1891 and peaked in 1892, after which it declined in use. The name began a falling trend since 2012, and by 2025 it ranked 10,695, with an estimated occurrence of about 1 in 284,679 newborns. Adlai has never ranked among the top names in any state, reflecting its niche appeal. Its association with 20th-century statesman Adlai Stevenson II brought it occasional modern notice, but it remains an uncommon choice, suited to those seeking a distinctive biblical name with a strong meaning.
Adlai is a Hebrew name derived from the biblical name Adlai (עַדְלַי), meaning "God is just" or "my witness." It appears in the Old Testament as the name of a minor figure, the father of Shaphat, one of King David's officials. The name has been used in Jewish communities for centuries but remained rare in English-speaking countries until the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ad
Sibling names for Adlai
Names that share Adlai's style, for a brother or sister.
