name
Common
Adrian
AY-dree-uhn
Adrian (name) means a masculine given name of Latin origin, referring to someone from the region of Hadria. Example: “Adrian moved to London to study architecture.”
name
1
A masculine given name of Latin origin, referring to someone from the region of Hadria.
"Adrian moved to London to study architecture."
2
Occasionally used as a feminine given name.
"Adrian is her legal first name, though most people assume it's male."
3
A surname derived from the given name.
"The Adrian family owns the local bakery."
adj
1
Relating to the Adriatic Sea.
"The Adrian coast has a long shipping history."
How to use Adrian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA widely used man's first name, also occurring as a surname and, rarely, as an adjective referring to the Adriatic Sea.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Adrians
- Comparative
- more Adrian
- Superlative
- most Adrian
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Can you complete this real example?
_____ moved to London to study architecture.
Etymology
From Latin Hadrianus, "of Hadria," an ancient port town; a doublet of the name Hadrian.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Adrian
See all rhymes for Adrian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Adrian” mean?
The word “Adrian” means a masculine given name of Latin origin, referring to someone from the region of Hadria. In plain terms, a widely used man's first name, also occurring as a surname and, rarely, as an adjective referring to the Adriatic Sea.
How do you pronounce “Adrian”?
“Adrian” is pronounced AY-dree-uhn (/ˈeɪ.dɹiː.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Adrian” in a sentence?
Here is “Adrian” used in a sentence: “Adrian moved to London to study architecture.”
What part of speech is “Adrian”?
Depending on how it is used, “Adrian” can be a name and an adjective.
Where does the word “Adrian” come from?
The word “Adrian” comes from Latin. From Latin Hadrianus, "of Hadria," an ancient port town; a doublet of the name Hadrian.
Is “Adrian” a common word?
“Adrian” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Adrian” have?
“Adrian” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a masculine given name of Latin origin, referring to someone from the region of Hadria.
Is Adrian a boy's name or a girl's name?
"Adrian" is traditionally a masculine given name of Latin origin, but it is occasionally used as a feminine given name as well. Related feminine variants such as Adriana and Adrienne are also commonly used for girls.
What is the difference between Adrian and Hadrian?
"Adrian" and "Hadrian" are closely related forms of the same name, both linked to the region of Hadria from which the name derives. "Adrian" is the common modern given name, while "Hadrian" is an older, more historical spelling.
Is Adrian used as a surname as well as a first name?
Yes. Besides being a given name, "Adrian" also functions as a surname derived from that given name. Like many names, it can appear as either a first name or a family name depending on the person and culture.
Is Adrian related to the Adriatic Sea?
Yes, in one sense. As an adjective, "Adrian" can mean relating to the Adriatic Sea, and both the adjective and the given name trace back to the same root, the region of Hadria.
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