The baby name Adelaide counts as a true classic, but remains under-the-radar compared to Elizabeth or Katherine.
Thanks to Annabel for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME ADELAIDE MEAN?
The Germanic Adalheidis comes from the elements adal – noble – and heid – type. So girls by this name are the noble kind, high-minded and perhaps a little bit privileged, too.
That’s exactly what the name sounds like, too.
Adalheidis fragmented over time and across languages. Ada, Adele, Adelle, Adela and so many similar names developed. Adeline and Alice are cousins, too. Nicknames like Elke and Heidi don’t immediately sound related, but come from Adelaide. So do obvious choices, like Addie and Della.
It’s a girl’s name throughout Europe and across the western world. But the most popular form in, say, English-speaking Canada might be Alice, while in Poland it’s Adela and Adele and Alix compete in France.
The name has been criss-crossing Europe for centuries.
ROYAL ADELAIDE
Adalheid von Burgund was born in 931. She married the King of Italy; after he was killed by his rival, she refused to marry the son of her husband’s assassin, and fled instead.
Eventually she married again, this time becoming Holy Roman Empress as the wife of Otto the Great.
She’d eventually serve as regent for her grandson. Because she used her position to help the poor and build churches, the dowager empress was eventually recognized as a saint. Her life story inspired operas by Handel and Rossini, and Judy Chicago included her in the art installation “The Dinner Party,” a work about the most significant women in history.
More noblewomen and princesses with the name followed, including two queen consorts of France. An early 20th century Portuguese princess, Infanta Maria Adelaide, narrowly escaped a Nazi death sentence for aiding the resistance.
In the 19th century, King William IV of the United Kingdom married a German princess called Adelaide. The name caught on with English speakers at last.
This Queen Adelaide proved quite popular. She was known for her grace, her generosity, and her devotion to her faith. The monarchy was in a bit of a muddle, with a decided lack of heirs. None of the royal couple’s children lived more than a few months.
William was ultimately succeeded by Queen Victoria. It’s said that the childless royals were always kind to their niece; indeed, Victoria’s firstborn was named Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa. The name has been in use in the royal family ever since.
ADELAIDE ON THE MAP
The good queen also inspired the name of the capital of South Australia, founded in 1836.
That puts this name on the map, just like Brooklyn and Savannah. With so many place names in the US Top 1000, the tie to the Australian city is likely a plus.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME ADELAIDE?
It may be that the 19th century queen inspired new parents to name their little girls Adelaide, but we can’t known for sure. She died in 1849, a dozen years after Victoria ascended the throne.
When the US rankings were first established in the 1880s, it appears that Adelaide was already falling. By the 1940s, the name had exited the Top 1000 entirely.
In 2005, the name returned. As of 2025, it stood at #289.
That seems impressive, but consider this: plenty of Addie names are far more popular. Adeline, Addison, Ada, Adalynn, and Adalyn all rank higher in the US than Adelaide. Trends especially favor Adeline, with six separate spellings in the current US Top 1000.
HIGH PROFILE BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
After the 19th and early 20th centuries, Adelaide faded in use among royal baby girl names. But in 2026, Princess Eugenie named gave the name to her third child and first daughter.
Eugenie is the granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II. None of her children with husband Jack Brooksbank are expected to receive royal titles. Adelaide Elizabeth Annina joins older brothers August Philip Hawke and Ernest George Ronnie. All three children have their father’s surname only, Brooksbank. One other interesting note: Adelaide was born in Portugal, where the family now lives.
UNDISCOVERED CLASSIC
If you’re looking for a name as classic and flexible as Margaret or Josephine, but slightly less common, this could be the perfect choice for your daughter.
What do you think of the baby name Adelaide?
This post was published originally on November 10, 2010. Following revision, it was re-posted on February 28, 2018; February 24, 2020; and August 19, 2026.
I love the name with the nn Ada, but have the same question regarding it being a place name. We are from Adelaide, Australia and while not currently living there, will likely move back at some point. Does that rule it out for us? We aren’t sure and feel like friends and family would be biased if we asked. We would likely call her Ada, but like having the formal name that gives her more options as she gets older and the connection to our hometown is kind of nice. But perhaps weird if we move back? Would love to hear others thoughts.