Ada is a name of Latin origin that means "noble" or "highborn." It is derived from the Germanic element Adal, which means "noble" and is also the root of the name Adelaide.
The name Ada has been popular throughout history. One notable bearer of the name was Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician who lived in the 19th century. She is known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. Lovelace wrote extensive notes on the machine, including what is recognized as the first algorithm intended for processing by a machine, making her the world's first computer programmer.
Despite its historic usage, Ada has not been particularly popular in recent years. However, it has started to regain some popularity in English-speaking countries since around 2010. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Ada was given to fewer than five girls each year in the United States between 1990 and 2006, but its usage began to increase again after that point.
In terms of pronunciation, Ada is typically pronounced as AH-də. It rhymes with "pada" or "mama."
Overall, Ada is a unique and historic name that means "noble." While it may not be one of the most popular names today, its association with Ada Lovelace gives it a distinct and impressive heritage.
"These statistics show a significant decline in the number of newborns named Ada over time. The peak occurred around the late 19th to early 20th century, with a high of 1943 births in 1918. However, since then, there has been a steady decrease, reaching an all-time low of just 1647 births in 2023."