According to the U.S. baby name data, the uncommon name Adia more than doubled in usage in 1998, then rose even higher in 1999:
- 2000: 134 baby girls named Adia
- 1999: 155 baby girls named Adia
- 1998: 116 baby girls named Adia
- 1997: 51 baby girls named Adia
- 1996: 45 baby girls named Adia
Why?
Because of the Sarah McLachlan single “Adia” (pronounced ay-dee-uh), which was released in March of 1998. The song peaked at #3 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart later the same year, in August.
During a 1999 appearance on the The Rosie O’Donnell Show, McLachlan revealed that “Adia” had originally been called “Emily.” She decided to change the name, though, because Simon & Garfunkel had already used Emily in the title of their song “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her” (1966).
Here’s the music video for “Adia”:
What are your thoughts on the name Adia?
P.S. The late ’90s is also when Sarah McLachlan was involved in the traveling music festival Lilith Fair.
Sources: Adia – Wikipedia, Adia by Sarah McLachlan – Songfacts, SSA