Adonis Name Meaning: Origin, Popularity & Nicknames

What Does Adonis Mean?

Adonis is a Greek boy name that means “lord,” but it is also a descriptor for masculine beauty. You might have overheard someone point to a particularly attractive or muscular man and say “look at that Adonis!”

What Is the Origin of the Name Adonis?

Adonis finds its origin as the name of a famous figure from Greek mythology who fell in love with Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty. Adonis was a very handsome man and a skilled hunter ⁽¹⁾.

Today, the name is associated with attractive, charming men. Perhaps because of its association with the mythological figure and the idea of a perfect, beautiful man, Adonis is growing in popularity within the United States.

How Popular is the Name Adonis?

While not wildly popular, Adonis is a sought-after name in the United States. It is quickly growing in popularity, recently ranking at #221 and #219 for boys’ names, which is impressive considering that in 2017 the name ranked at #391 ⁽²⁾.

How Do I Pronounce Adonis?

You pronounce Adonis by saying, “uh- DAH-nuhs.” It’s common to hear the name spoken with an emphasis on the “oh” sound, but this is incorrect.

Is Adonis a Boy or Girl Name?

Adonis is traditionally considered a boy’s name because of its association with the mythical figure Adonis and how it was used in Romantic poetry as a synonym for a particularly beautiful or athletic man. However, there are several variations of Adonis that may work better for a baby girl.

Variations of Adonis

Adonis is well-known and incredibly popular among literary and mythology buffs. If you are interested in the name but aren’t sure about having your child associated with the mythological figure, or perhaps, want a version better suited for a girl, take a look at these variations!

• Addonia (Greek)
• Adohnes (Greek)
• Adon (Hebrew)
• Adones (Greek)
• Adonias (Hebrew)
• Athenios (Greek)

Nicknames for Adonis

If picking a name for your baby that’s also easily turned into a nickname is important, then Adonis is a great choice. The name inspires a variety of nicknames that include:

• Ada
• Ade
• Addie
• Adon
• Adonie
• Don
• Donnie
• Donny

Similar Names to Adonis

Adonis’s well-known mythological associations may not be what you are looking for. Here are some other names you might find appealing.

• Amari
• Atticus
• Axel
• Ezra
• Gael
• Mateo
• Orion
• Phoenix
• Rowan
• Sebastian
• Waylen

Middle Names for Adonis

Adonis is a powerful first name, which can make picking a middle name for your baby even more important. Here are a few of the best middle names to go with the first name Adonis.

• Adler
• Blake
• Bram
• Ewan
• James
• Julius
• Knox
• Ramsay
• Samuel
• Soloman
• William

Sibling Names for Adonis

If you are having a second child and want to pair their name with Adonis, there are many options to choose from. Some share similar sounds while others pair well because of how they contrast.

For a brother:

• Adan
• Aziel
• Bradford
• Braylon
• Dante
• Finlay
• Maynard
• Orion
• Orson
• Thiago

For a sister:

• Annaleise
• Averi
• Brielle
• Charisse
• Eloise
• Fay
• Juniper
• Lorelei
• Penelope
• Persephone
• Zephira

Famous People Named Adonis

While Adonis is best-known for its connection to Greek mythology, several notable figures helped establish its growing popularity. They include:

• Adonis: Syrian poet. Born Ali Ahmad Said Esber and known as Adonis or Adunis, he is a famed Arab poet who is often compared to T.S. Eliot. He’s published dozens of books of poetry.
• Adonis Adelecino Jordan: American basketball player for the Seattle SuperSonics, the Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets.
• Adonis Antonio Rivas Ordóñez: American boxer best known for winning the WBO super flyweight title in 1999.
• Adonis Shropshire: American songwriter and producer in the R&B, hip hop, rap, and pop genres. He produced singles like “I Stay in Love” by Mariah Carey and “Say Goodbye” by Chris Brown.
• Adonis Stevenson: Canadian boxer best known for winning the WBC Continental Americas Super Middleweight title.
• Adonis Terry: American baseball player who played from 1884 to 1897 for the Chicago Colts, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, and more.

Adonis in Popular Culture

Adonis has inspired countless figures in popular culture as the name of a well-known mythological figure. From poetry to television, the name truly spans genres.

• Adonis: The original Adonis comes from Greek mythology. He was a beautiful young man who loved Aphrodite and who she loved in return. According to myth, Persephone (queen of the underworld) raised him and refused to release him to Aphrodite. Zeus commanded he spend ⅓ of each year with Aphrodite and ⅓ with Persephone; the other ⅓ he could do as he pleased.
• Adonis: A villain from the children’s TV series Teen Titans. He was created by David Slack and first appeared in the 2004 episode “The Beast Within.” He wears a battlesuit that gives him superhuman strength.
• Adonis: The name used to describe John Keats in Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Adonais: An Elegy on the Death of John Keats.” It has helped solidify the public’s image of Keats and his youthful, untimely death.

Adonis FAQs

You may have more questions about the name Adonis. Here are the answers to a few popular inquiries.