Rising since 1995, #1,942 for boys today.
Popularity of Adonai since 1990
Babies named Adonai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0 | 34 |
| 2000s | 93 | 238 |
| 2010s | 80 | 517 |
| 2020s | 70 | 434 |
Meaning & origin
Adonai is a rare and weighty name that carries deep religious significance as a Hebrew divine title. First recorded in U.S. data in 1990, it experienced a notable climb: its peak year was 2024, and it has been rising in use since 1995. In 2025, it ranked 1,942, with 1 in 21,621 boys receiving the name. Its trajectory points to growing but still uncommon use. The name is most popular in Florida, Texas, and California, states with large Hispanic and diverse populations, which may reflect broader cultural adoption of biblical names.
Adonai is a Hebrew word meaning 'my Lord,' used in the Hebrew Bible as a divine title. It is derived from the root 'adon' (lord, master) with the first-person singular possessive suffix. In Jewish tradition, Adonai is pronounced in prayer and scripture reading as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton (YHWH). Its use as a personal name is a modern development, reflecting a broader trend of using sacred terms as given names.
Where Adonai is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Adonai” around the world
Where Adonai lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Adon, Don, Adi
Variants: Adonay
Sibling names for Adonai
Names that share Adonai's style, for a brother or sister.
