Adolphus is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Germanic name Adalwulf. This name consists of two elements: "adal," which means noble, and "wulf," meaning wolf. Therefore, Adolphus can be interpreted as "noble wolf." Throughout history, this name has been used by several notable figures, most notably in the Roman Empire during the medieval period. However, it is important to note that the use of this name has declined significantly over time and it is now considered quite rare. Despite its historical roots and strong meaning, Adolphus is not typically associated with any specific cultural traditions or celebrations today.
The name Adolphus saw a significant rise in popularity from the late 1800s to around World War I, with peaks of over 70 births per year between 1914 and 1922. However, it quickly fell out of favor thereafter, dropping below 20 births per year by the mid-1930s, and has remained relatively uncommon since then, with fewer than 10 births per year in recent decades. As of 2022, a total of 4109 babies named Adolphus have been born.