Adaline Overview
- Meaning: Adaline means ‘Noble’ or ‘Coming from nobility.’
- Gender: Adaline is a predominantly female name.
- Origin: Adaline comes from the Old High German word for ‘Noble.’ It also derives from a similar Anglo-Saxon word with the same meaning.
- Pronunciation: “A-DA-line”
- Popularity: Adaline is a popular girl’s name and ranks 289 out of 500.
- Nicknames: Ada, Addy, Dell, Delia, Dellie.
- Variations: Ada, Adeline, Adèle, Alina, Alita Zéllie.
- Namesakes: Adaline, Adaline Glasheen, Adaline Kent, Adaline Shephard, Adaline Emmerson Thompson.
What Does Adaline Mean?
Adaline means noble. It’s an elegant, feminine name that conveys dignity, boldness, and a touch of femininity.
What is the Origin of the Name Adaline?
Adaline comes from the Old High German word, ‘Adel,’ which means ‘Noble’ (1).
It also has associations with ‘Adal,’ which is a similar Old High German word but has specific connotations regarding familial lineage.
The word was borrowed into Swedish and at approximately the same time into Old English. The Old English equivalent of ‘Adel’ or ‘Adal’ was ‘Æþel’ (2). Æþel was a prefix that, like the German, meant noble but could be affixed to many different names to provide nobility. A similar Old English word, ‘Æðeling’ was also used to convey noble origins for certain people, like Aethelred the Unready (3).
How Popular is the Name Adaline?
Adaline is a popular girl’s name. At present, it ranks 289 out of the top 500 girls’ names (4).
This uptick in popularity is a marked rise from 2015, when it ranked 365.
The last time Adaline enjoyed this much popularity was 1924. After that, the name fell steadily out of favor. Interest in Adaline and its variations likely resurfaced because of the film ‘The Age of Adaline’ (5).
Interestingly, Adaline’s popularity increases when parents opt for the spelling variant ‘Adeline.’ This variation on Adaline ranks 94 out of 100, making it a very popular name.
How Do I Pronounce Adaline?
Adaline is pronounced “Ah-DA-line.”
The stress goes on the middle syllable. The first A is the equivalent of a British short A. It should rhyme with ‘Grass,’ not ‘Parse.’
Is Adaline a Boy or Girl Name?
Adaline is typically a girl’s name.
Variations of Adaline
There are several variations of Adaline. The most popular and prevalent are:
- Aada (German, Finish)
- Ada ( German, Hebrew, Igbo, Turkish)
- Adelin (French)
- Adelina (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Slavic)
- Adalyn (English, German)
- Adalynn (English, German)
- Adelyn (English)
- Adalene (French)
- Adèle (French)
- Adelita (Spanish)
- Alina (English, German)
- Aline (English)
- Alita (German)
- Zélie (French)
Nicknames for Adaline
Adaline’s many syllables make it easy to adapt. There are a variety of nicknames for parents to choose from if they decide to name a child Adaline. Popular nicknames for Adaline include:
- Ada
- Addie
- Addy
- Aida
- Delia
- Dell
- Della
- Dina
- Lena
- Leena
- Lila
- Lina
- Linda
- Lindy
- Lyn
- Nina
Similar Names to Adaline
If you aren’t sure Adaline is the right name for your child, there are a variety of other names with similar meanings, syllable counts, and sounds. Some of the most popular alternatives to Adaline are:
- Adelia
- Adrianna
- Aileen
- Alicia
- Allison
- Amelia
- Annalise
- Arabella
- Ariel
- Audrey
- Charlotte
- Eleanor
- Emelia
- Emeline
- Evelyn
- Madeline
- Norah
- Olivia
Middle Names for Adaline
Adaline also accommodates a variety of middle names. Parents’ favorite middle names for girls called Adaline include:
- Alexandra
- Bernadetta
- Cassandra
- Cressida
- Cordelia
- Dorothy
- Elizabeth
- Eva
- Evalina
- Felicity
- Gabrielle
- Henrietta
- Isabelle
- Isolde
- Lucy
- Matilda
- Olivia
- Rosalind
- Veronica
- Vivian
Sibling Names for Adaline
Parents who chose Adaline for one of their children also looked at these names for a sibling.
For a Brother
Popular names for the brothers of Adaline include:
- Anders
- Asher
- Calum
- Calvin
- Declan
- Ellis
- Elliott
- Everett
- Felix
- George
- Henry
- Liam
- Oliver
- Owen
- Rowan
For a Sister
Popular names for the sisters of Adaline include:
- Cecelia
- Cecily
- Elise
- Eloise
- Felicity
- Gemma
- Grace
- Hazel
- Margaret
- Stella
- Rosalie
- Rosalind
- Vera
- Victoria
- Willow
Famous People Named Adaline
Although Adaline isn’t the most popular variation of this girl’s name, history still has its share of famous Adalines. Some of the most famous are:
- Adaline: Canadian singer-songwriter
- Adaline Weston Couzins: American suffragist and Civil War Nurse
- Adaline Glasheen: American novelist and scholar
- Adaline Kent: American sculptor
- Adaline Shephard: American composer
- Adaline Emmerson Thompson: American educational reformer
Adaline in Popular Culture
While there are a variety of Adeles and Adelines in fiction, it’s harder to find fictitious people called Adaline. They do exist, however, and some of the best-known are:
- Adaline: Eponymous hero of a series of novels by Denise Kawaii
- Adaline Bowman: Protagonist in the film ‘The Age of Adaline
- Adaline Carson: Character in John Keeble’s ‘The Appointment’
- Adaline ‘Addie’ LaRue: Protagonist in ‘The Invisible Life of Addie Larue’
Adaline FAQs
Still unsure if Adaline is the right name for your child? Here are other questions parents frequently ask about the name Adaline and where it comes from.
How Do You Spell Adaline?
There are a variety of ways to spell Adaline. While Adaline itself is an acceptable spelling, so is:
- Adeline
- Adelyn
- Adelynn
Is ‘The Age of Adaline’ Based on a Book?
Although ‘The Age of Adaline’ shares similarities with several books, the movie was an original story. The idea came from the writing team J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador Paskowitz.
Are ‘The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’ and ‘The Age of Adaline’ the Same?
While there are similarities between Schwab’s 2020 novel and the 2015 film ‘Age of Adaline,’ they tell two distinct stories. The predominant similarity is the shared given name of the female protagonist, Adalin.
Is Adaline a Rare Name?
The rarity of Adaline depends on how you spell it. You are more likely to meet young girls named Adeline because this is the 94th most popular girl’s name. However, Adaline with an A sits lower on the spectrum of popularity. At present, one in 648 babies is called Adaline, making it one of the rarer girls’ names chosen by parents.
Is Adaline a Biblical Name?
Although Adaline is popular in Christian communities, the name Adaline does not appear in the Bible. However, it expresses values important to Christianity, especially kindness and nobility.
