Adams is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Old English given name Æadmæls, which was composed of two elements: "adal," meaning "noble" or "nobleman," and "-mael," meaning "chiefs." Thus, the name Adams translates to "Son of Noble Chief."
The name Adams has a rich history dating back to medieval England. It was often used as a surname, but it could also be found as a given name in some instances. In fact, one of the earliest known records of the name Adams is from the Domesday Book, a great survey of England conducted by William the Conqueror in 1086.
Over time, Adams became more commonly used as a surname than a given name. However, there were notable individuals named Adams throughout history. For example, John Adams was the second president of the United States, serving from 1797 to 1801, and his son, John Quincy Adams, served as the sixth president from 1825 to 1829.
Today, Adams remains a popular surname worldwide but is less commonly used as a given name. Despite its waning popularity, Adams continues to be a strong and dignified name that carries a rich history and meaningful origin.
The name Adams experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. While it was quite common in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, with years like 1914, 1918, and 1919 seeing more than 10 births each, its popularity began to decline mid-century. By the 1960s and 1970s, the number of annual Adams births ranged from a low of 5 to a high of 20. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence in its popularity, with 24 or more births recorded annually since 2017. As of 2023, a total of 1159 babies named Adams have been born.