Holding steady.
Popularity of Adolphus since 1880
Babies named Adolphus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Adolphus's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 189 |
| 1890s | 178 |
| 1900s | 149 |
| 1910s | 531 |
| 1920s | 643 |
| 1930s | 525 |
| 1940s | 474 |
| 1950s | 503 |
| 1960s | 325 |
| 1970s | 202 |
| 1980s | 175 |
| 1990s | 116 |
| 2000s | 63 |
| 2010s | 31 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Adolphus is a Latinized Germanic name meaning 'noble wolf', derived from the elements adal and wolf. Its use in the United States peaked in the 1890s, with the highest recorded usage in 1893, after which it steadily declined. The name has not appeared in the Social Security Administration's top 1,000 names since 1880, reflecting a dramatic drop following mid-20th century associations. Today, Adolphus is rarely given to newborns; no data is available for its 1-in-N rarity. Its trajectory remains stable, with no signs of revival. The name was most popular in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin during the late 19th century, but no top state data is available from the digest. Despite its historical usage, Adolphus largely fell out of favor, making it an uncommon choice for modern parents.
Adolphus is the Latinized form of the Old High German name Adalwolf, composed of the elements adal 'noble' and wolf 'wolf'. It was borne by several European nobles and became especially prominent in Sweden through King Gustavus Adolphus, who ruled in the 17th century. The name saw moderate use in English-speaking countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries but declined sharply after World War II.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Adolph, Dolph, Addy
Sibling names for Adolphus
Names that share Adolphus's style, for a brother or sister.
