Meaning: Its source is a Greek expression meaning "Extremely good-looking."

Languages: This boy's name is used in English and Greek.

Alternative Spellings: Adonys

Feminine Forms: Adonia

Popularity: The name Adonis ranked 851st in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics.

Narrative: It is likely that the literal meaning of this name has been lost to time. The ancient Greek myth of Adonis, the beloved boy who dies and is reborn year after year, gave rise to a cult that worshipped him as the paragon of physical beauty.

As a result, the name is still used to describe any extremely good-looking man. However, the meaning given for this ancient name is probably more a matter of association than derivation.