Adam Name Meaning

By Alex Vance
Updated on July 19, 2021
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
Little boy outside in a hat and sunglasses eating a popsicle.

wundervisuals / iStock by Getty Images

If you're looking for a name with strong historical significance, you can't go wrong with Adam.

A well-known Hebrew name, Adam means "son of the red Earth." Its meaning comes from the Hebrew word "adamah" meaning "earth," from which Adam is said to be formed. The name also refers to the reddish color associated with human skin. Adam was, of course, pivotal to the Old Testament, being the first man God ever created.

  • Origin: Adam is a Hebrew name meaning "son of the red Earth."
  • Gender: Adam is most commonly used as a boy name.
  • Pronunciation: ah-dam

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

How Popular Is the Name Adam?

Although Adam is one of the most well-known names in existence, its popularity in the United States has been met with moderate success. That said, it has ranked in the top 100 names since 1970 when it reached No. 71. It hit peak popularity in 1983, ranking No. 18, and has steadily fallen since.

The latest Social Security Administration data from 2020 has Adam ranked as the No. 96 most popular name for baby boys. Given that it sat at No. 90 in 2019, it seems Adam's run in the top 100 may be reaching its end.

Still, Adam is no stranger to the spotlight. Actors Adam Sandler and Adam Carolla bring out the name's funny side, and singer Adam Levine gives it an edgy, pop-rock appeal.

Name Variations

The following are variations of the name Adam:

  • Adamo (Hebrew)
  • Adams (Hebrew)
  • Adan (Hebrew)
  • Adao (Hebrew)
  • Addam (Hebrew)
  • Addis (Hebrew)
  • Adem (Hebrew)
  • Adham (Arabic)

Similar Names

Similar sounding names to Adam:

  • Adan
  • Allen
  • Callum
  • Camden
  • Karam
  • Kamden
  • Liam
  • Tatum

Other biblical boy names:

  • Aaron
  • Abel
  • Abraham
  • Asher
  • Benjamin
  • Elijah
  • Gabriel
  • Jacob
  • Levi
  • Mark
  • Silas

Other boy names starting with A:

  • Ace
  • Adrien
  • Alexander
  • Anderson
  • Andrew
  • Andy
  • Antonio
  • Apollo
  • Archie
  • Arthur
  • Atlas
  • Avery

Suggested Sibling Names

Looking for a sibling name for Adam? Here are some popular options:

  • Alexis
  • Alison
  • Annie
  • Ashley
  • Anthony
  • Emily
  • Jordan
  • Luke
  • Morgan
  • Warren

Famous People Named Adam

Some notable people who share the name Adam are:

  • Adam Brody, American actor most known for his role on the TV series "The O.C."
  • Adam Devine, American actor and comedian known for co-creating and starring in the comedy series "Workaholics"
  • Adam Driver, American actor known for his role as Klyo Ren in the "Star Wars" movies
  • Adam Lambert, American singer who rose to fame after appearing on "American Idol" in 2009
  • Adam Levine, lead singer of the pop-rock band "Maroon 5"
  • Adam Sandler, American actor known for a variety of movies, including "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore"
  • Adam Scott, American actor best known for his role on the TV comedy "Parks and Recreation"
  • Adam West, American actor known for portraying Batman in the 1960s TV series of the same name

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: 

1 Source
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Social Security Administration. Popularity of names.

By Alex Vance
Alex Vance is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from pregnancy and parenting to health and wellness. She is a former news and features writer for Moms.com and Blog Writer for The HOTH. Her motherhood-related pieces have been published on Scary Mommy, Motherhood Understood, and Thought Catalog.

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