As a theologian, I take pride in giving my children names after the noblemen and women in the Bible because of their great faith in God.
Recently, I came across an article that suggested some names given to children are evil. I was intrigued by the name Adrian in the article, so I developed an interest in discovering more about this name.
I conducted extensive research by reading different books and online materials about the origin and meanings of names. I also talked to my clergy to see if the name Adrian appears in the Bible and why some people think the name is an evil name.
Interestingly enough, last week, in a college class I teach, we were discussing the origin and meanings of different names when one student asked the meaning of the name Adrian.
Another student also wanted to know if the name Adrian is evil. Having done extensive research on the topic, I took the time to explain my findings.
After the class, I decided to come up with this article for those who may have the same questions.
So, is Adrian an evil name?
Since no scripture in the Bible talks about the name Adrian, people have come up with different opinions. Some people believe that Adrian is an innocent name like any other and can be given to any gender. On the other hand, others speculate that the name Adrian is evil because of its origin.
So, join me until the end as I explore more about this topic. I will discuss where the name Adrian came from, the meaning of the name Adrian, why some people believe that Adrian is an evil name, and the meaning of the name Adrian in Islam, among other interesting topics.
Where did the name Adrian come from?
It is believed that the name Adrain originated from Latin. People believe this is the short form of the Latin Adrianus or Hadrianus.
The name Hadrianus or Adrianus is believed to be of someone from the coast of the Adriatic and was adopted by Emperor Hadrian, who ruled between 117 and 138.
This name is also believed to have come from the river Adria, a river that was the main channel of the Po River into the Adriatic Sea during the 8th century.
Several people, including Popes, politicians, academic scholars, and military men, have borne the name Adrian throughout the centuries.
What is the meaning of the name Adrian?
Some sources believe that the name Adrian means water or sea because of its link with the river Adria. Other individuals also believe that the name Adria means the son of Adria because it came from the family of Hadrianus, who were believed to be from Hadria.
Hadria was a famous town in Northern Italy near the Adriatic Sea. In the modern world, people are paying less attention to the speculated meaning of these names, as more parents proudly name their newborn girls and boys with this name.
Why do some people believe that Adrian is an evil name?
Some people believe that the name Adrian is evil because of how it has been linked to the sea. Some people believe that the sea is connected to some evil spirits known as the marine or the water spirits, which are evil.
People who believe in the Sea demons or spirits trace their origin to Noah’s flood in the Bible.
Some Christians also believe that evil spirits exist in the sea or water because the demon Jesus cast out of the possessed man in Luke 8:26-33 entered pigs, who rushed into the sea where the demon dwells.
Some people also believe that Adrian is an evil name because this name has been used by evil characters in different movies and series, like Adrian Veidt, also known as Ozymandias in the limited series Watchmen, and the character Adrian in the television series Manifest.
Is the name Adrian in the Bible?
There is no single mention of the name Adrian in the Bible. Some individuals suggest that the name Adrian is not in the Bible because it is not linked to any gospel of God.
As seen earlier, the first people to adopt this name were inspired by River Adria and not anything related to the gospel. Although the name Adrian is not in the Bible, this name was adopted by different religious people, including the only Dutch Pope, Adrian VI, and the only English Pope, Adrian IV.
What is the meaning of the name Adrian in Islam?
According to some Muslim sources, the name Adrian means the dark one. They also suggest that Adrian means Hadria, which may be the same meaning we discussed above.
Muslims also believe that the name Adrian means rich and link it to the lucky number two, which signifies balance and harmony in one’s life.
Muslim countries adopting this name include Afghan, Bahraini, Iraqi, and Qatar.
Should a Christian name their child Adrian?
Knowing whether a Christian should name their child Adrian is hard, as the Bible does not answer us. However, the name Adrian has different meanings, so it is up to Christian individuals to decide whether to name their children Adrian or not.
If you are a Christian and believe naming your child Adrian is evil, you should not. On the other hand, if you are a Christian and believe naming your child Adrian has no harm, then you should do it.
Romans 14 explains that a person’s faith may allow them to eat anything, while another person’s faith may be weak and only allow them to eat vegetables.
The Bible encourages us not to judge each other based on these decisions, as we have different levels of faith.
As a Christian, I have always been passionate about sharing God’s word with young people. This inspired me to pursue a Certificate in Christian Education, an Undergraduate degree in Religious Studies, and a Graduate degree in Theology. My knowledge in school and experience from dealing with the youth made me an expert at discussing Christian-related topics. I feel privileged working as the Coordinator of the Christian Youth Ministry at Christian Faith Guide. You can read more about me on the about us page.