Adel — Just, equitable — Egyptian and Levantine form of ʿĀdil.

Adel is the Egyptian and Levantine French-influenced spelling of عادل (ʿĀdil), from the Arabic root ع-د-ل — to balance, to act with justice, to make equal. The classical lexicons define ʿadl as the placing of every thing in its right place — neither excess nor deficiency. The name draws directly from one of the divine Names: al-ʿAdl, the Just, recited among the asmāʾ al-ḥusnā. The Qurʾān commands believers to act with this quality: 'Indeed, Allah orders justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives' (16:90).

The same name appears as Adil in classical Arabic, Adel in Egypt and the Maghreb, and Adil-Khan in South Asian usage. Notable bearers include Adel Imam, the celebrated Egyptian actor; Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi diplomat and former Foreign Minister; and the Lebanese composer Adel Saleh. The name is also borne by the medieval Mughal emperor known as ʿĀdil Shāh and by several rulers of the Bijapur Sultanate (the ʿĀdil Shāhīs). The shorter Adel form is preferred in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.

To be Adel is to be named after a moral standard. The opening ʿAyn (ع) is the letter of the spring — the source. The Dāl (د) is the door of return. The Lām (ل) is the climb of authority. Together: a person whose justice flows from a deep source, returns the wronged to their right, and binds others by the gravity of their fairness.