Adele
/a.ˈdeː.lə/
Adele derives from the Old German element adal meaning “noble.” It is a short form of longer Germanic names beginning with that element, such as Adelaide and Adeline.
The name was common in medieval Europe, particularly in French-influenced regions. The Normans brought it to England, where it appeared in royal and aristocratic families.
Saint Adele, a 7th-century Frankish princess and abbess, helped establish it in Christian tradition.
What the name Adele means
Adele ranked No. 798 in 2024 with 351 births. It peaked at No. 187 in 1914 with 709 births, a Victorian and Edwardian favourite that nearly disappeared in the mid-20th century before its current revival.
British singer Adele (born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, 1988) has been the dominant force in the name’s revival. Her record-breaking albums 21 and 25 kept the name in constant global visibility throughout the 2010s.
Two syllables — ah-DEL — are elegant and spare. The rising stress pattern gives it quiet sophistication, and the single open final vowel sounds complete without being elaborate.
Parents drawn to vintage elegance find Adele compelling: it has the depth of an old name and the freshness of a singer redefining it for a new generation.
Related forms include Adelaide, Adeline, Adela, and Adelie. The French form Adèle carries an accent mark; English uses the unaccented spelling.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Adele
Adele - similar names
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