Rising since 1985, #241 for boys today.
Popularity of Adonis since 1918
Babies named Adonis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 13 |
| 1930s | 15 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 106 |
| 1960s | 119 |
| 1970s | 403 |
| 1980s | 526 |
| 1990s | 1,673 |
| 2000s | 2,346 |
| 2010s | 6,081 |
| 2020s | 10,301 |
Meaning & origin
Adonis has been in use as a given name in the United States since at least 1918, but its trajectory has shifted markedly in recent decades. After ranking 241st in 2025 with approximately 1 in 1,168 newborn boys receiving the name, its popularity has been on a steady rise since 1985, peaking in 2023. The name sees its strongest concentration in Nevada, Washington D.C., and Alaska, suggesting a particular appeal in urban and western regions. The mythological roots and strong sound likely contribute to its modern appeal, fitting a pattern of classical revival that also lifts names like Atlas and Apollo.
Adonis derives from the Phoenician word 'adon', meaning 'lord'. In Greek mythology, Adonis was a mortal youth of extraordinary beauty, beloved by the goddess Aphrodite. His death and annual rebirth were celebrated in the Adonia festival, and the name entered European usage through classical literature and art. Rare before the 20th century, it saw steady modern use in the United States from 1918 onward.
Where Adonis is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Adonis” around the world
Where Adonis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
165
babies in 2024
Ireland
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Addy, Donnie
Sibling names for Adonis
Names that share Adonis's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Adonis
Names whose popularity has moved with Adonis's over the last 50 years.
