Adeline

A French elaboration of the Germanic Adela, meaning noble, Adeline wafted through the salons of nineteenth-century Europe and into the barbershop quartet canon with Sweet Adeline, a 1903 tune that became unofficial anthem of saloons and political campaigns. The name slept through the 1970s and 80s, then rose on the antique-revival tide alongside Adelaide and Amelia. Parents now hear Adele's belted ballads in the first two syllables and French countryside in the last. It currently ranks 58 and is given to about one in 433 girls. Three lilting notes; the nickname Addie keeps it grounded, Della keeps it interesting.