Meaning, origin, history
Adrian is a name of Latin origin, derived from the ancient Roman family name Aemilius. It means "from Hadria," which was an ancient city in Italy located near what is now the Adriatic Sea. The name Adrian has been popular throughout history and has been used by many notable figures, including several saints and popes.
The name Adrian first became widespread during the Middle Ages when it was adopted by several European royal families. It was also a popular choice among early Christians due to its association with Saint Adrian of Nicomedia, who was martyred in the 3rd century AD.
In literature, Adrian has been used as a character name in many works, including Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." Today, it remains a popular choice for boys' names around the world.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Adrin since 1880
Total births
396
Total since 1880
Peak year
1978
19 births
in 2023
7
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-5%
↘
vs previous 5 years