boys' name · peaked 1984

Adam

From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew אָדָם (adam, “earth, man…

Every Adam since 1880 — 582,453 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
3.757.511.251518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#101
among boys
Babies in 2025
3,511
named Adam
Peak year
1984
24,081 babies
All-time total
582,453
since 1880

The story of Adam

Adam is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #101 in 2025 with 3,501 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 582,453 American babies have been named Adam. Its peak came in 1984, when 24,081 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Adam stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Adam year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 10 #9,464 3,501 #101
2024 8 #11,133 3,507 #100
2023 3,487 #103
2022 3,638 #99
2021 5 #15,294 3,657 #104
2020 7 #12,164 3,781 #97
2019 7 #12,465 4,188 #91
2018 7 #12,485 4,711 #78
2017 8 #11,632 4,933 #77
2016 6 #14,353 5,224 #75
2015 6 #14,515 5,404 #73
2014 7 #13,090 5,344 #79
2013 5 #16,584 5,251 #82
2012 5,323 #82
2011 11 #9,726 5,215 #81
2010 9 #11,261 5,111 #80
2009 7 #13,727 5,676 #74
2008 13 #8,969 6,098 #72
2007 7 #13,944 6,790 #65
2006 12 #9,295 6,806 #64
2005 14 #7,894 6,846 #64
2004 37 #3,821 7,474 #58
2003 21 #5,587 7,690 #58
2002 8 #11,115 7,754 #55
2001 13 #7,729 7,758 #51
2000 16 #6,488 8,136 #45
1995 13 #6,644 10,485 #38
1990 35 #3,156 14,713 #32
1985 117 #1,201 20,165 #22
1980 96 #1,318 18,868 #22
1975 44 #1,986 8,646 #38
1970 21 #3,110 4,313 #72
1965 8 #4,832 2,561 #125
1960 1,018 #249
1955 354 #382
1950 308 #382
1945 210 #415
1940 227 #379
1935 237 #356
1930 273 #337
1925 6 #4,426 452 #268
1920 579 #223
1915 574 #194
1910 154 #182
1905 101 #183
1900 111 #187
1895 78 #190
1890 74 #180
1885 96 #141
1880 104 #123

Famous people named Adam

  1. Adam Smith Economist · 1723–1790
  2. Adam Weishaupt Philosopher · 1748–1830
  3. Adam Mickiewicz Writer · 1798–1855
  4. Adam Opel Inventor · 1837–1895
  5. Adam de la Halle Writer · 1245–1288

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Adam mean?

From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew אָדָם (adam, “earth, man, soil, light brown”), from אדמה (adamah, “red earth,…

How popular is the name Adam in 2025?

Adam ranked #101 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 3,501 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Adam?

582,453 babies have been named Adam in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Adam most popular?

Adam peaked in 1984, when 24,081 newborns received the name.

Is Adam a boy or girl name?

Adam is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Adam rising or falling?

Adam is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Adam?

Well-known people named Adam include Adam Smith (economist), Adam Weishaupt (philosopher), Adam Mickiewicz (writer).

Names like Adam

Compare Adam with similar names →