Unisex name · peaked 1952

Adlai

Every Adlai since 1891 — 696 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
0.040.080.110.1518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#10,719
among boys
Babies in 2025
13
named Adlai
Peak year
1952
39 babies
All-time total
696
since 1891

The story of Adlai

Adlai is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,719 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1891, 696 American babies have been named Adlai — about 87% boys and 13% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1952, when 39 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.

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 Adlai stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Adlai 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 7 #11,956 6 #10,719
2024 7 #9,916
2023 8 #8,940
2022 22 #4,572
2021 8 #11,175 9 #8,178
2020 6 #13,483 9 #8,089
2019 14 #6,108
2018 5 #15,736 18 #5,108
2017 6 #14,170 15 #5,795
2016 6 #14,374 9 #8,158
2015 18 #5,061
2014 9 #10,986 10 #7,567
2013 20 #4,622
2012 6 #15,007 21 #4,534
2011 7 #13,374 15 #5,676
2010 17 #5,255
2009 6 #15,278 12 #6,811
2008 5 #17,559 12 #6,771
2007 19 #4,813
2006 13 #6,098
2005 11 #6,645
2004 7 #12,782 7 #8,940
2003 7 #8,659
2002 5 #15,477 14 #5,136
2001 7 #8,356
2000 7 #8,218
1995
1990 7 #6,420
1985 7 #5,157
1980 6 #5,533
1975
1970
1965
1960 5 #4,042
1955 12 #2,302
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925 5 #4,200
1920 5 #4,292
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Adlai

  1. Adlai Stevenson I Politician · 1835–1914
  2. Adlai Stevenson II Diplomat · 1900–1965

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

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Adlai in 2025?

Adlai ranked #10,719 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Adlai?

696 babies have been named Adlai in the United States since 1891, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Adlai most popular?

Adlai peaked in 1952, when 39 newborns received the name.

Is Adlai a boy or girl name?

Adlai is used for both: about 13% of babies named Adlai have been girls and 87% boys.

Is the name Adlai rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Adlai?

Well-known people named Adlai include Adlai Stevenson I (politician), Adlai Stevenson II (diplomat).

Names like Adlai

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