Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Adrian

Adrian is a very ancient name, as ancient as the Etruscan race (a now extinct Italic tribe long ago replaced by the Latins). The name is linked to the Adriatic Sea and may have been borrowed from an Illyrian word “adur” meaning “water, sea”. The Illyrian languages were a group of languages spoken on the western side of the Balkans on the other side of the Adriatic Sea from present-day Italy. The early Etruscan settlement in northern Italy on the Adriatic Sea was known as Hadria and the Latin “hadrianus” (Adrian) meant quite literally, “man from Hadria”. The name was most famously borne by a 2nd century Roman Emperor, Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus). Hadrian is best known for erecting Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, then the most northern point of the ever-expanding Roman Empire. The intent was to protect the new Roman province of Britannia from attacks by the Scottish tribes. The 75-mile long wall took 10 years to build, parts of which are still very visible today across the rolling hills of northern England. Many Roman Catholic Popes used the name Adrian in the Middle Ages, most notably, Pope Adrian IV (12th century), who has the distinction of being the only English-born Pope to this day. As an English name, Adrian (which dropped the original H) has been around since the Middle Ages and beyond, but it really didn’t become significantly popular until more recently in the 20th century.

All About the Baby Name – Adrian

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME ADRIAN

The number 11 is a Master Number, and embodies heightened traits of the Two. This personality is on a life journey to find spiritual truth. They are extremely idealistic and intuitive. Elevens have a rare and exceptional spiritual energy that brings a sense of obligation to illuminate the world around them. It's a very powerful responsibility, but these people have far more potential than they know. It's important that they surrender to higher ideals. They have the capacity to see the bigger picture, and they possess the skills to inspire others spiritually. Elevens have strong diplomatic skills and can become great peacemakers. Master numbers can be both a blessing and a curse, as they walk the fine line between greatness and the potential for self-destruction.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME ADRIAN

The name Adrian has a history of being a unisex name in America, although it’s quite clearly moved over to the boy’s side now. The name went out of fashion for girls in the year 2000, probably replaced by the more feminine spelling Adrienne (same pronunciation) or the feminized Adrian(n)a. So we’re back to Adrian being distinctly masculine (as is the French spelling of Adrien). American parents have been bestowing Adrian on their little boys for over a century, but only at moderate levels. It wasn’t until 1990 that the name finally achieved Top 100 status, and today he’s dancing around the Top 60. Adrian is a very dignified and erudite-sounding name for boys. There’s a certain self-confidence he carries with him. We picture a little boy marching to the beat of his own drummer.

Quick Facts

ON ADRIAN

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

60

PRONUNCIATION:

A-dree-in

SIMPLE MEANING:

Man from Hadria (Adriatic Sea)

Characteristics

OF ADRIAN

Inspirational

Highly Intuitive

Spiritual Teacher

Extremely Bright

Uplifting

Truth-seeker

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Adrian

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ADRIAN

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Adrian

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ADRIAN

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Adrian


Popular Songs

ON ADRIAN

Adrian
a song by the Eurythmics

Famous People

NAMED ADRIAN

Adrian Belew, (musician)
Adrian Grenier (actor)
Adrian Peterson (football player)
Pope Adrian I-VI (Popes)
Adrian Belew, (musician)
Adrian Grenier (actor)
Adrian Peterson (football player)
Pope Adrian I-VI (Popes)
Adrian Belew, (musician)
Adrian Grenier (actor)
Adrian Peterson (football player)
Pope Adrian I-VI (Popes)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ADRIAN

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Adrian

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ADRIAN

St. Adrian was a Herculean Guard during a time of Christian persecution in the Roman Empire. It is said that while supervising the torture of some Christians, he asked them what reward they expected to receive from their God upon their death. The Christians faithfully quoted Corinthians to demonstrate their devotion at their moment of demise. So stunned by the courage of these people, Adrian publically confessed his own faith only to be immediately imprisoned (without the benefit of baptism). His wife Natalia remained by his side in prison and at his death, asking him to pray for her from Heaven so convinced was she by his sudden conversion. Apparently, she didn’t want to take any chances either! Oddly enough, St. Adrian is the patron saint of soldiers and (of all things) butchers. His Feast Day is September 8.

St. Adrian was a Herculean Guard during a time of Christian persecution in the Roman Empire. It is said that while supervising the torture of some Christians, he asked them what reward they expected to receive from their God upon their death. The Christians faithfully quoted Corinthians to demonstrate their devotion at their moment of demise. So stunned by the courage of these people, Adrian publically confessed his own faith only to be immediately imprisoned (without the benefit of baptism). His wife Natalia remained by his side in prison and at his death, asking him to pray for her from Heaven so convinced was she by his sudden conversion. Apparently, she didn’t want to take any chances either! Oddly enough, St. Adrian is the patron saint of soldiers and (of all things) butchers. His Feast Day is September 8.

St. Adrian was a Herculean Guard during a time of Christian persecution in the Roman Empire. It is said that while supervising the torture of some Christians, he asked them what reward they expected to receive from their God upon their death. The Christians faithfully quoted Corinthians to demonstrate their devotion at their moment of demise. So stunned by the courage of these people, Adrian publically confessed his own faith only to be immediately imprisoned (without the benefit of baptism). His wife Natalia remained by his side in prison and at his death, asking him to pray for her from Heaven so convinced was she by his sudden conversion. Apparently, she didn’t want to take any chances either! Oddly enough, St. Adrian is the patron saint of soldiers and (of all things) butchers. His Feast Day is September 8.