Adel is a name of Arabic origin, derived from the word "ʾadl" which means "justice." In Islamic tradition, Adel is also associated with Prophet Muhammad's companion, Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud, who was known for his fairness and honesty.
The name Adel has been popular throughout history, particularly among Muslims. It has been used by various notable figures, including Adel Al-Jazeera, the founder of the Al Jazeera news network, and Adel Abutaleb, a Saudi Arabian astronaut.
Adel is often seen as a unisex name, although it is more commonly used for boys. In some cultures, it may also be spelled Adele or Adil. Despite its Arabic origins, Adel has been adopted by various communities around the world, including those in Europe and Africa.
In terms of its meaning, Adel signifies fairness, honesty, and justice. It encourages individuals to strive for balance and righteousness in their lives. This makes Adel a powerful name choice that can inspire children to grow into responsible, ethical adults.
The name Adel experienced varying popularity over the years, with a significant increase in usage from around 1915 onwards. Between 1888 and 1914, there were fewer than 15 births per year on average. However, starting from 1915, the number of annual births with the name Adel began to rise sharply, reaching a peak of 27 in 1918. This high level of popularity continued until the mid-1940s, with an average of around 20 births per year during this period.
After the 1940s, the name's popularity started to decline gradually. From the 1950s onwards, the number of annual births with the name Adel fluctuated between 6 and 20, with a general downward trend. There were several years in the 1970s and 1980s where fewer than 10 babies were named Adel.
In recent years, however, there has been some resurgence in the popularity of the name Adel. Since 2008, the number of annual births with this name has consistently been higher than 10, reaching a peak of 25 in 2009 and 24 in 2012. In total, from 1888 to 2023, there have been 1436 babies named Adel.