Adelyn is a unique and charming name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years. The name is derived from the Old English elements "adel" meaning noble or aristocratic, and "wyf" which translates to woman. Therefore, Adelyn literally means "noblewoman."
The use of the name Adelyn can be traced back to medieval times when it was used as a name for women in England. However, it was not particularly common during this period, and its usage has varied throughout history.
In the 20th century, Adelyn began to appear more frequently in English-speaking countries, but it remained relatively rare until recent years. Today, Adelyn is considered an alternative spelling of the more popular name Adele, which shares the same meaning and origin.
Despite its recent increase in popularity, Adelyn still remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents looking for something different yet meaningful for their daughter. Its strong connection to English history and noble origins makes it an appealing option for those interested in names with historical significance.
The name Adelyn has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past century, with its most notable growth occurring within the last two decades in the United States.
At the turn of the 20th century, the name Adelyn was quite rare. Between 1899 and 1929, there were only a few dozen births per year, with some years even seeing less than five births. However, this trend began to change in the 1930s and 1940s, with birth numbers fluctuating between five and twelve each year.
It wasn't until the late 1980s that Adelyn started to gain notable traction. In 1990, there were a significant 42 births, marking the start of a steady incline in popularity. This trend continued through the late 1990s and early 2000s, with birth numbers increasing each year.
The name Adelyn reached its peak popularity in recent years, with over 1500 births recorded annually between 2012 and 2016. However, this trend has started to decrease slightly since then, with approximately 1200 births per year from 2017 to 2022.
In total, there have been 21,773 births of the name Adelyn in the United States since records began, demonstrating that while it may not have always been popular, this unique and charming name has certainly made its mark in recent times.