Adele
Pronounced: ah-DEL
Meaning: Noble
Gender: Girl
Origin: Germanic
Language: English (British)
What does Adele mean?
Adele conveys the idea of nobility. It comes from the old Germanic element adal meaning noble, so the name carries a sense of dignity and refinement.
As a given name Adele feels both graceful and approachable. It sits comfortably in classic name lists while retaining a warm, slightly old fashioned charm that feels fresh in modern use. If you appreciate names that suggest quiet strength and understated elegance, Adele fits that tone well.
❤️ Why Parents Choose This Name
- It has a clear, positive meaning associated with nobility and dignity.
- The sound is short and elegant but not fussy, so it works at all ages.
- It is familiar without being overused in many English-speaking countries.
- There are several attractive variants and forms for international or family use.
- It pairs well with both traditional and more modern middle names.
- It has literary and musical associations that give it cultural resonance.
Historical Context
The name Adele originates from the Germanic element adal meaning noble, which appears in many medieval names across Germanic languages. Over centuries that element produced names such as Adalheidis and Adela, and shorter forms like Adele became established in French and English use. The form Adèle is well attested in French records and literature, while Adele became common in English by way of French influence.
Adele enjoyed steady use in the 19th century and persists as a familiar classic. It appears in literature and opera, which helped spread its recognition across Europe. The name has never been wildly fashionable, which gives it a timeless quality. In modern times it has gained renewed attention through cultural figures who carry the name, reinforcing its elegant, soulful associations.
Original Form
Related Names
Variants of Adele
Short Forms:Del
Usually Short For
Gender counterparts
International Variants
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Adela |  English |
| Adelheid |  German (Traditional) |
| Adelina |  Italian (Modern) |
| Adeline | English (British) |
| Adabelle | English (Modern) |
| Adal | German (Modern) |
| Adalea | English (Modern) |
| Adaleah | English (Modern) |
| Adalee | English (Modern) |
| Adaleigh | English (Modern) |
| Adalena | English (Modern) |
| Adalene | English (Modern) |
| Adaleya | English (Modern) |
| Adalie | English (Modern) |
| Adalinn | English (Modern) |
| Adalise | English (Modern) |
| Adalyn | English (Modern) |
| Adalynd | English (Modern) |
| Adalyne | English (Modern) |
| Adalynn | English (Modern) |
| Adalynne | English (Modern) |
| Addalee | English (Modern) |
| Addaleigh | English (American) |
| Addalyn | English (Modern) |
| Addalynne | English (Modern) |
| Addeline | English (Modern) |
| Addelyn | English (Modern) |
| Addelynn | English (Modern) |
| Addie | English (Modern) |
| Addilynne | English (Modern) |
| Addy | English (Modern) |
| Adel |  Arabic (Modern) |
| Adelae | English (Modern) |
| Adelaine | English (Modern) |
| Adelena | English (Modern British) |
| Adelene | English (British) |
| Adelia | English (Modern) |
| Adelinne | English (Modern) |
| Adelisa | English (British) |
| Adelita |  Spanish (Mexican) |
| Adeliz |  French (Medieval) |
| Adell | English (Modern) |
| Adella | English (Modern) |
| Adelle | English (Modern) |
| Adellyn | English (Modern) |
| Adelyn | English (Modern) |
| Adelyne | English (Modern) |
| Adelynne | English (Modern) |
| Adilyn | English (Modern) |
| Adilyne | English (Modern) |
| Adleigh | English (Modern) |
| Adlynn | English (Modern) |
| Ady | English (Modern) |
| Adylene | English (Modern) |
| Adyline | English (Modern) |
| Adylynn | English (Modern) |
| Aleda | English (British) |
| Alys | Welsh (British) |
| Delina | English (Rare) |
| Della | English (Modern) |
| Edel | German (Modern) |
| Elke | German (Modern) |
| Ethel | English (British) |
| Heidi-Rose | English (British) |
Great Middle Names for Adele
Choose a middle name that balances Adele's classic elegance with either soft or steady sounding options.
- Adele Claire
- Adele Elizabeth
- Adele Isobel
- Adele Jane
- Adele June
- Adele Maeve
- Adele Margaret
- Adele Rose
Sibling names that go well with Adele
Pair Adele with names that share classic, slightly vintage charm for a cohesive sibling set.
Popularity of Adele over time
In 2025, Adele was given to 51 girls in the UK and 362 girls in the US. Adele has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now an uncommon girls' name especially in the US.
What do parents think of Adele?
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