Adrian

Adrian is a gender-neutral name that stems from the Roman and Latin Hadrianus. A moniker that rolls like a wave off the tongue, Adrian has a locational feel to it with the meaning "from Hadria." Hadria was the name of two settlements in ancient Italy and is also the inspiration for the Adriatic Sea, adding the oceanic meaning "of the Adriatic" to its repertoire. Adrian also has faithful vibes thanks to its use by several popes, including the only Dutch pope, Adrian VI.

While Adrian is traditionally a boy's name, it's starting to become more and more of a feminine choice, too. This has sparked wild debate between many on whether or not Adrian should remain masculine or sounds more feminine anyway. We're leaning towards The Bump member kmichln's take on this one, who says: "I wouldn't assume boy or girl with Adrian. It's one of those names for me that I wouldn't know. I might wonder boy first, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were a girl."

Fun Facts About the Name Adrian

• Adrian's deeper root and meaning: Adrian's meaning "of the Adriatic" could stem from the Latin atra, meaning "black." This likely describes the rich, dark sands of the shore the city is nestled on.
• The one and only English Pope: Not just the name of the only Dutch Pope, Adrian was also borne by the only English Pope, too—Pope Adrian IV.
• An international superstar: The name Adrian crosses borders with ease and maintains its spelling and pronunciation throughout a wide variety of cultures. According to official registries around Europe, it has regularly charted as a Top 10 name for boys in several distinct countries, from Spain to Norway.