The nameAda
Ada is a short girl's name of Germanic origin meaning "noble". The name of the first computer programmer, it is back in fashion.
- Girl's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Ada comes from the Germanic adal, "noble", as a short form of names such as Adelaide or Adeline.
Origin
Germanic. Ada of Caria was a queen of the 4th century BC, but the modern name comes from Germanic roots.
History
Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron, wrote what is seen as the first computer programme in the 1840s. The name came back in the 2010s, reaching the top 40 in England and Wales.
Did you know?
- The Ada programming language, created in the late 1970s for the US Department of Defense, is named after Ada Lovelace.
Famous people named Ada
- Ada Lovelace, mathematician
- Ada Hegerberg, footballer
- Ada Yonath, Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Popularity of the name Ada
Ada in the United States
Ada was most popular in the United States in the 1910s, with 15,286 births over the decade, 14% of all recorded babies named Ada. Half of all babies named Ada in the United States were born before 1925, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,616 births a year on average, against 1,135 in the five years before.
Ada in the United Kingdom
Ada was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 7,224 births over the decade, 62% of all recorded babies named Ada. Its rise began around 2011, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Ada in the United Kingdom were born before 2021, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,194 births a year on average, against 839 in the five years before.
Ada in Ireland
Ada in France
Ada in Belgium
Ada in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Ada
Names from the same generation as Ada, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Ada? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Ada with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Ada side by side with the name of your choice.
Ada in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ada mean?
Ada comes from the Germanic adal, "noble", as a short form of names such as Adelaide or Adeline.
What is the origin of the name Ada?
Germanic. Ada of Caria was a queen of the 4th century BC, but the modern name comes from Germanic roots.
Is Ada a girl's or a boy's name?
Ada is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Ada?
In 2024, Ada was the 193rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,563 births.
What are the variants of the name Ada?
Variants and related names of Ada include Adelaide.
What are good sibling names for Ada?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Matilda, Louise, Emmy and Zara for a sister, Otto, Jasper, Ellis and Leon for a brother.
Who are famous people named Ada?
Ada Lovelace, mathematician; Ada Hegerberg, footballer; Ada Yonath, Nobel Prize in Chemistry.