Adam
/ˈæd.əm/noun
The first man in the biblical account of creation.
Did you know?In Hebrew, 'Adam' is related to the word for 'earth' (אֲדָמָה), linking humanity's creation to the soil and the elements of nature.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ʔadām
“A generic term for 'man' or 'human'.”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
אָדָם (ʾādām)
“Referring specifically to the first human or 'man', often interpreted as 'earth' or 'red earth'.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἀδάμ (Adám)
“Transliteration of the Hebrew name, preserving its original context.”
Vulgate Latin
Latin
Adam
“Adopted from the Greek, used in the Christian context to refer to the biblical figure.”
Middle English
Middle English
Adam
“Retained from Old French and Latin, referring to the biblical Adam.”
Modern English
English
Adam
“Continues to denote the biblical first man, symbolizing humanity's origin.”