Holding steady.
Popularity of Adolphe since 1911
Babies named Adolphe per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 123 |
| 1920s | 109 |
| 1930s | 51 |
| 1940s | 7 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Adolphe, the French form of Adolf, carries a heavy historical weight. First recorded in U.S. data in 1911, the name saw its peak year in 1915, a time when Germanic names were still common. However, its trajectory has been stable at near-zero usage for decades, and it has no recent rankings. The name's association with Adolf Hitler led to an overwhelming decline after World War II, making it virtually unused in modern times. Despite its noble meaning, 'noble wolf,' the name is now avoided in most Western countries. Top state data is unavailable due to extremely low counts. Adolphe remains a cautionary example of how a name's perception can shift dramatically due to historical events.
Adolphe is the French form of Adolf, derived from the Old High German elements 'adal' (noble) and 'wolf' (wolf). The name was brought to France by Germanic tribes and has been used in French-speaking regions since the Middle Ages. It experienced some popularity in the early 20th century but declined sharply after World War II due to its association with Adolf Hitler.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ado, Dolph
Sibling names for Adolphe
Names that share Adolphe's style, for a brother or sister.
