Given name & surname
Ada
“man”·“of the earth”·“adornment”
In Czech use, Ada is a diminutive of Adam. Interpretations include “man” (Hebrew) and “of the earth” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions. Ada is a variant of Adah. Interpretations include “adornment” (Hebrew) and “ornament; beautiful addition to the family” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Czech use, Ada is a diminutive of Adam. Interpretations include “man” (Hebrew) and “of the earth” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions. Ada is a variant of Adah. Interpretations include “adornment” (Hebrew) and “ornament; beautiful addition to the family” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions. Ada is a variant of Adela. One German interpretation is “of the nobility; serene; of good humor.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In Czech use, Ada is a diminutive of Adam. A possible origin is Hebrew, although the derivation remains uncertain. In English use, Ada is a short form of Adelaide. Adelaide has been associated with French and Germanic naming traditions. Ada is a variant of Adah. An origin associated with Adah is Hebrew.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In Czech usage, Ada is a diminutive of Adam. In Polish usage, Ada is a diminutive of Adrianna.
The story
Past bearers associated with Ada include a 7th-century abbess of Saint-Julien-des-Prés at Le Mans.
Ada through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 107,183
- 278 boys · 106,905 girls
- Most popular year
- 1918
- 1,950 babies
- 2025
- 1,401
- #219 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +26%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 1,401 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 219 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 25.6% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 1,943 in 1918. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (96). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 42,677 as a first name in 2020; 623 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Ada’s family of names
In Czech usage, Ada is a diminutive of Adam. In English usage, Ada shares a linguistic root with the Finnish form AADA. In English usage, Ada has a related form in Aida.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Ada has relatives in 12 languages.
21 related names in 12 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 18
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 6
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 4
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Ada
- Ada YonathIsraeli structural biologist and Nobel laureate (1939–2026)
- Ada NegriItalian poet, writer, and teacher (1870–1945)
- Ada HegerbergNorwegian footballerborn 1995
- Ada of Caria4th-century BC Satrap and Queen of Caria400 BC–325 BC
- Ada RohovtsevaSoviet and Ukrainian actressborn 1937
- Ada, Countess of HollandCountess regnant of Holland from 1203 to 12071188–1223
- Ada BlackjackIñupiat explorer (1898–1983)
- Ada KokDutch swimmer (born 1947)
- Ada AdlerDanish classical scholar (1878-1946)
Characters named Ada: Ada Wong (Resident Evil).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Ada, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Agatha
Agatha is used as a given name and a surname. One Greek interpretation is “good and kind; St. Agatha is the patron saint of bell-founders.”
>99% girls
Agnes
“one who is pure; chaste”
>99% girls
Georgiana
Georgiana is a feminine given name from Ancient Greek.
>99% girls
Alma
“one who is nurturing and kind” · “refers to the soul”
1% boys · 99% girls
Frances
“woman from France; one who is free” · “a man from France; one who is free”
1% boys · 99% girls
Odessa
“one who wanders; an angry woman”
>99% girls
Mabel
“one who is lovable”
>99% girls
Ila
“of the earth” · “from the island”
>99% girls