Adam in Chinese
Adam in Chinese is 亚当 (Yà Dāng).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- earth, man
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "earth, man". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1980s.
3 ways to write Adam
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
亚当
Yà Dāng
The standard transliteration of Adam: 亚 (yà, "Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')"), 当 (dāng, "to be, act as (phonetic 'dam/dan')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 亚 (yà) carries "a", 当 (dāng) carries "dam". The tone contour is 4-1 (falling, high level).
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 亚
yà
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')
- 当
dāng
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
to be, act as (phonetic 'dam/dan')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
岳峰
Yuè Fēng
Inspired by "earth, man": 岳 (yuè, "high mountain") + 峰 (fēng, "summit, peak"), expressing land, hills and home.
Why these characters?
Because Adam is linked to "earth", the name leads with 岳 (high mountain); 峰 (summit, peak) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 岳
yuè
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
high mountain
- 峰
fēng
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
summit, peak
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
亚峰
Yà Fēng
亚 (yà, "Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')") + 峰 (fēng, "summit, peak"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 亚 (yà), the same opening character as the transliteration 亚当, for the "a" sound, and replaces the rest with 峰 ("summit, peak") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 亚
yà
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')
- 峰
fēng
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
summit, peak
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Adam
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Adam ranked 97 among names recorded for boys, with 21,571 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 549,775 boys named Adam since 1880, with the high point in 1984 (23,934 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #32 to #77 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1984
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 549,775
More About Adam in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Adam offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Adam, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Brian in Chinese, Eric in Chinese, and Samuel in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Nathan in Chinese, Kyle in Chinese, and Aaron in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Adam, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Adam to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Adam in Chinese characters?
亚当 (Yà Dāng), or 亞當 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 亚当 have?
12 strokes in simplified form and 21 in traditional; per character: 亚 6, 当 6.
Is there a Chinese name for Adam with real meaning?
Try 岳峰 (Yuè Fēng): high mountain + summit, peak, inspired by "earth, man". For something that still sounds like Adam, 亚峰 (Yà Fēng) is a middle ground.