Adrianna

Adrianna is a more fanciful spelling of Adriana both of which are feminine given names derived from the male Adrian which dates back to Antiquity. Adrian comes from the Latin word “hadrianus” meaning ‘man from Hadria’, an ancient city in northern Italy on the Adriatic Sea. The name was most notably borne by the 2nd century Roman Emperor, Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus). Hadrian is best known for erecting Hadrian’s Wall in England, then the most northern point of the ever-expanding Roman empire. The intent was to protect the new Roman provinces from attacks by the wily 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 has been around since the Middle Ages and beyond. The female version of the name, Adriana, comes more from the French Adrienne than the English, however. Adrianna is another variation of the name.