Adele is a feminine given name of German origin. The name comes from the Germanic word "Adalheidis", which is composed of two elements: "adal" meaning noble, and "heid" meaning kind or bright. Therefore, Adele means "noble and kind" or "high nobility". In some instances, it can also mean "noble and wealthy".
The name Adele has a long history and was popular among European royalty during the Middle Ages. One of the most notable figures with this name is Saint Adélaïde, who was the wife of Louis I, King of France in the 9th century. She is revered as a saint by the Catholic Church for her piety and kindness towards the poor.
Over time, Adele has evolved into various forms across different languages and cultures. Some variations include Adelia, Adelina, Adelaïde, and Adalheid. Despite these variations, the core meaning of nobility and kindness remains consistent throughout.
Today, Adele is still a popular name among parents seeking a unique yet classic choice for their daughters. It has been used by several notable figures throughout history, including singers such as Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 1988), who is known simply as "Adele" and is a highly successful recording artist from the United Kingdom.
In literature, there are characters named Adele in works like "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton and "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. These appearances further illustrate how the name Adele has been integrated into various aspects of culture and society over time.
Overall, Adele is an elegant and timeless name with a rich history that spans centuries and continents. Its meaning reflects qualities of nobility, kindness, and brightness, making it a suitable choice for parents seeking a meaningful and memorable name for their daughter.
The given statistics illustrate the annual number of births with the name Adele in the United States over a period of 158 years, from 1880 to 2023.
In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Adele was quite low, ranging from 41 to 116 births per year between 1880 and 1889. However, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of this name during the early 20th century. Between 1905 and 1932, the annual number of births named Adele fluctuated but remained relatively high, with over 257 births recorded in 1909.
The popularity of the name Adele reached its peak in the United States during World War I, with a significant increase in births. In fact, there were more than 800 babies named Adele born each year between 1914 and 1923. This could potentially be attributed to admiration for notable figures named Adele during this time or simply due to changing naming trends.
After World War I, the popularity of the name Adele began to decline steadily. Between 1925 and 1967, the annual number of births with this name dropped considerably, from a high of 738 births in 1925 to just 116 births in 1967.
The name Adele experienced another surge in popularity during the late 1940s and early 1950s, with over 400 babies named Adele born each year between 1946 and 1953. However, this trend was short-lived, as the popularity of the name began to decline once again.
In recent years, the name Adele has seen a slight resurgence in popularity among parents choosing names for their newborn daughters. Between 2007 and 2022, there were over 148 births named Adele each year on average, with the highest number of births recorded in 2009 (236 births) and 2011 (462 births).
In total, over the course of 158 years, from 1880 to 2023, there have been approximately 41,641 babies named Adele born in the United States. These statistics demonstrate how trends in naming can change dramatically over time and reflect the unique cultural influences that shape our choices in naming our children.