How to say it
A · dri · an
ˈeɪ.dri.ən
Masculine
Adrian
From Hadria
What it means
From Latin Hadrianus, 'man of Hadria' (an ancient Italian town near the Adriatic Sea). Emperor Hadrian built the wall across northern England; six popes have taken the name.
Adrian comes from the Latin Hadrianus, 'man of Hadria' (an ancient town on the Adriatic coast). Emperor Hadrian (76-138) was a Roman emperor most famous for the defensive wall he built across northern England. The papal name Adrian (or Hadrian) was used by six popes, including the only English pope, Adrian IV. Adrian has been a steady US top-100 name since the 1990s, particularly strong in Latino communities through the Spanish Adrián. Stallone's Rocky (1976) cemented the name on the feminine side via Adrian Pennino. Most Adrians keep the full form.
How to spell Adrian
The standard spelling is Adrian. Common variants include Adrián, Hadrian, Adriano, but Adrian is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #56 in 2008, currently #74 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
AY-dree-an, three syllables. In Spanish-influenced families, the accent moves: ah-dree-AHN (Adrián).
- Nickname
Adi shows up, but most Adrians keep the full form.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Emperor Hadrian Roman emperor 117-138, built Hadrian's Wall across northern England
- Adrian Brody American actor, The Pianist (Oscar) and Wes Anderson regular
- Adrian Monk Tony Shalhoub's character in Monk, the obsessive-compulsive detective
Spelling variants
- Adrián
- Hadrian
- Adriano
Names with the same feeling
See Adrian from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Adrian mean?
- From Latin Hadrianus, 'man of Hadria' (an ancient Italian town near the Adriatic Sea). Emperor Hadrian built the wall across northern England; six popes have taken the name.
- What does Adrian mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Adrian means "From Hadria." Adrian comes from the Latin Hadrianus, 'man of Hadria' (an ancient town on the Adriatic coast). Emperor Hadrian (76-138) was a Roman emperor most famous for the defensive wall he built across northern England. The papal name Adrian (or Hadrian) was used by six popes, including the only English pope, Adrian IV. Adrian has been a steady US top-100 name since the 1990s, particularly strong in Latino communities through the Spanish Adrián. Stallone's Rocky (1976) cemented the name on the feminine side via Adrian Pennino. Most Adrians keep the full form.
- How do you pronounce Adrian?
- Adrian is pronounced ˈeɪ.dri.ən. Say it as A-dri-an, with the stress on the "a" syllable.
- How do you spell Adrian?
- The standard spelling is Adrian. Common spelling variants include Adrián, Hadrian, Adriano.
- Is Adrian a boy or girl name?
- Adrian is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Adrian?
- Adrian ranked #74 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.