Surname Adrian - Meaning and Origin
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Delving into Ancestry: An Emotional Journey through iGENEA's DNA test and the Story of Surname Adrian
Embarking on a journey of personal heritage through iGENEA's DNA Test, I traversed the emotional spectrum of curiosity, connection, and gratitude. Discovering the rich history of my ancestors and the significance of my surname, Adrian, invoked a profound sense of belonging and appreciation.
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read moreAdrian: What does the surname Adrian mean?
The last name Adrian is of German and English origin. It is derived from the Latin given name Adrianus, from Hadrianus. The name Hadrianus was a popular Roman name derived from the Latin word Hadria, which referred to the Adriatic sea. In Germany the last name Adrian can also be derived from a contraction of the Germanic name Hadewig.
The meaning of the last name Adrian is unclear, however it is thought to be linked to the word "hadria", from the Latin word that means "dark one". This could be linked to several meanings but the most likely interpretation is that the name signifies strength, power and courage.
Throughout the centuries the last name Adrian has been adopted by many different cultures, typically as a first or last name. It often has been used to denote a person of power, strength or courage in a situation. In some countries such as France, the last name Adrian is associated with nobility; in some parts of America, the name also may be linked to prominent military families.
The last name Adrian is popular, having been given to people in many countries across the globe. Whether it is used as a first name or a last name, Adrian symbolizes strength, power and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisAdrian: Where does the name Adrian come from?
Adrian is a name of Latin origin, meaning “person from Hadria”. It first became popular in England and Scotland during the Crusades, and again when it was re-introduced in the eighteenth century.Today, Adrian is primarily seen in Central and Eastern Europe, with the highest numbers concentrated in Romania, Hungary, and Poland. It is also found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.
In Romania, Adrian is the third most common boy’s name, and a top ten name in Hungary. In both countries, the name has become extremely popular over the last two decades and is often seen in the form of Adrián. In Poland, Adrian is the sixth most common boy’s name, although it is relatively rare in comparison to the other countries.
In the United States, Adrian is the 139th most popular boy’s name for 2020, up from 171st in 2018. It is particularly common among the Latino and Hispanic communities. In the UK, Adrian is the 253rd most popular name, and in Canada, it is the 372nd. Meanwhile, in Ireland, the name is slowly gaining in popularity; it is the 526th most popular name.
Overall, Adrian is still a popular name in Eastern and Central Europe and is gaining traction in other parts of the world. It is likely to remain in the top 500 most popular names list for years to come.
Variations of the surname Adrian
The Adrian surname has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants include Adrien, Ariden, Aarden, Aderine, Ardin, Adarne, Audrian, Audrene, Ardrian, and Odrian.
The name has long been popular in France, making it especially popular in Quebec and other areas of Canada that were colonized by French settlers. Spellings in these parts may include Edrian, Hadrian, Idrian, and Oudrian.
In Germany, the name has typically been spelled as Oden and Aden. This variant is also popular in the Netherlands.
Spanish-speaking countries often spell the surname as Adrián or Adriano. In Brazil, the spelling is usually Adriano, and in Portugal the more common variant is Adrião. Variants in Italy include Adorni, Arrigoni, Adriano, and Hadriani.
In Russia, the Adrian surname is derived from the Hebrew phrase Adir adonai, meaning "mighty Lord". Most spellings of this variant are Adrisan or Adryschen.
In other parts of the world, some of the most common variants of the Adrian name include Odrien, Adryan, Aaranson, Aronen, Ariëns, ADrienne, Aronin, Odri, and – depending on the country – Oddrin.
Famous people with the name Adrian
- Adrian Pasdar: an American actor, director, and voice artist
- Adrian Peterson: an American football running back for the Washington Football Team
- Adrian Grenier: an American actor, musician, director, and entrepreneur
- Adrian Lyne: an English film director and producer
- Adrian Maior: Romanian diplomat and scholar
- Adrian Bailey: British politician and former Member of Parliament
- Adrian Smith: American guitarist who played for the heavy metal band Iron Maiden
- Adrian Constantin: Romanian footballer
- Adrian Newey: British Formula One auto racing engineer
- Adrian Zmed: American actor best known for his roles in the television series T.J. Hooker, Grease 2, and Bachelor Party