The existence of neural stem cells (NSCs) in adult human brain neurogenic regions remains unresolved. To address this, we created a cell atlas of the adult human subventricular zone (SVZ) derived from fresh neurosurgical samples using single-cell transcriptomics. We discovered 2 adult radial glia (RG)-like populations, aRG1 and aRG2. aRG1 shared features with fetal early RG (eRG) and aRG2 were transcriptomically similar to fetal outer RG (oRG). We also captured early neuronal and oligodendrocytic NSC states. We found that the biological programs driven by their transcriptomes support their roles as early lineage NSCs. Finally, we show that these NSCs have the potential to transition between states and along lineage trajectories. These data reveal that multipotent NSCs reside in the adult human SVZ. Display omitted •We created a single-cell atlas of the adult human SVZ derived from fresh samples•We discovered 2 adult radial glia cell types similar to fetal outer radial glia•We also captured early neuronal and oligodendrocytic neural stem cell states•We show NSCs can transition between states and along lineage trajectories Molecular biology; Cell biology; Omics; Transcriptomics