Adrienne

Adrienne is the French feminine form of Adriен, itself derived from the Latin name Hadrianus, meaning "from Hadria," a town in northern Italy that also gave its name to the Adriatic Sea. The name gained widespread use through the fame of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who ruled in the second century and is known for commissioning Hadrian's Wall in Britain. Adrienne has been borne by several notable figures, including the American poet Adrienne Rich. Related forms include Adriana, Adriana, and the masculine Adrian.