אָדָם
Adam / Adam
“Man/earth”
Adam (אָדָם, Adam) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “man/earth,” pronounced “a-DAM.” From the Hebrew 'adamah' (אֲדָמָה), meaning 'ground' or 'earth.' The connection to 'adom' (red) may refer to the red clay from which the first human was formed. Adam is both a proper name and the generic Hebrew word for 'human being/mankind.'
| Hebrew | אָדָם |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Adam |
| English Name | Adam |
| Meaning | Man/earth |
| Pronunciation | a-DAM |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Adám, Adamo, Adem, Aadam |
| Key Scripture | Genesis 2:7 |
Adam is not just a name — it is the original name, the word God used for the first human being formed from the dust of the ground. In Hebrew, the wordplay is unmistakable: 'adam' (אָדָם, human) comes from 'adamah' (אֲדָמָה, ground/earth), and both share the root that gives us 'adom' (אָדֹם, red) — the color of the clay from which humanity was sculpted. Every time a Hebrew speaker says the word 'adam,' they are invoking the fundamental truth of human existence: we are dust, formed by divine breath, and to dust we shall return. It is simultaneously the humblest and most profound name ever given.
Key Scripture: Genesis 2:7
“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
What Does Adam Mean in Hebrew?
From the root א-ד-ם (aleph-dalet-mem). The word 'adam' means both 'human being' and serves as the first man's name. Related words include 'adamah' (earth/soil), 'adom' (red), and 'dam' (blood). The interconnection suggests that humanity's identity is bound to the earth, to life-blood, and to the redness of clay.
Adam in the Bible
Adam was the first human, created by God from the dust of the ground and given the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). He was placed in Eden to tend the garden, given authority to name all animals, and received Eve as his companion. His disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit introduced sin and death into human experience.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
In Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah), 'Adam Kadmon' (Primordial Adam) represents the first divine emanation — a cosmic template for creation. The Talmud teaches that Adam was created from dust gathered from all four corners of the earth so that no nation could claim superiority. This universalist teaching reflects the name's function as a word for all humanity.
Adam has been a consistently popular name worldwide, typically ranking in the top 80 in the US and top 50 in the UK. It's universally recognized across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures (Adam is also the first prophet in Islam). Its simplicity and deep meaning give it timeless appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adam
What does Adam mean in Hebrew?
Adam (אָדָם, Adam) means “Man/earth” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew 'adamah' (אֲדָמָה), meaning 'ground' or 'earth.' The connection to 'adom' (red) may refer to the red clay from which the first human was formed. Adam is both a proper name and the generic Hebrew word for 'human being/mankind.'
How do you pronounce Adam in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Adam is “a-DAM.” The name is written אָדָם in Hebrew script.
What does Adam mean in Hebrew?
Adam (אָדָם) means both 'man/human being' and is connected to 'adamah' (earth/ground) in Hebrew. The name reflects the biblical account of God forming the first human from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). The root also connects to 'adom' (red) and 'dam' (blood), weaving together themes of earth, life, and humanity.
Is Adam a Hebrew word or a name?
Both. In Hebrew, 'adam' (אָדָם) functions as both the generic word for 'human being/mankind' and as the proper name of the first person. This dual function is intentional — the first human was not given an arbitrary name but was called what he was: the earthling, the human, the one formed from the earth.
What is the connection between Adam and adamah?
Adam (אָדָם, human) and adamah (אֲדָמָה, earth/ground) share the same Hebrew root, creating a profound wordplay. God formed 'adam' from 'adamah' — the human from the humus, the earthling from the earth. This linguistic connection reminds us that humanity's origin and destiny are tied to the ground, and that we are stewards of the earth from which we came.
Sources & Further Study
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