Ada
Ada is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Noble; ornament or adornment.
Origin and history
Ada is a classic name of Germanic origin meaning 'noble', though it also appears in the Old Testament with Hebrew roots meaning 'ornament'. It was popular in the late 19th century and has experienced a notable modern revival in the United States. Today, it is favored by parents looking for a short, elegant, and timeless vintage name.
Popularity in the United States
106,905 babies in the United States have been named Ada since 1880. It ranks #358 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #190.
States where it is most popular
- TX (6.7 %)
- NY (6.7 %)
- PA (6 %)
- NC (5.4 %)
- CA (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 8,423 |
| 1890-1900 | 10,379 |
| 1900-1910 | 9,121 |
| 1910-1920 | 15,234 |
| 1920-1930 | 15,135 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,492 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,884 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,306 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,874 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,924 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,606 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,600 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,395 |
| 2010-2019 | 9,037 |
| 2020-2029 | 9,495 |
Famous people named Ada
- Ada Lovelace: Mathematician, Writer
- Ada Yonath: Crystallographer, Nobel Laureate
- Ada Limón: Poet, Author
Fun facts
- Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician, is celebrated as the world's first computer programmer for her early work on Babbage's Analytical Engine.
- In the Hebrew Bible, Adah is one of the earliest named women after Eve.
- After being a top-100 U.S. name in the late 1800s, Ada has risen steadily back into popular usage in recent years.