Ada is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Germanic element "adal," which means "noble." It was introduced into Britain by the Normans and was popular among the nobility during the Middle Ages. The name Ada has been used by several notable figures throughout history, most famously Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician who is known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She wrote extensive notes on the engine's capabilities, including what is recognized as the first algorithm intended for processing by a machine, making her the world's first computer programmer. Ada is also the name of several royalty and nobility, such as Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen (wife of King William IV of the United Kingdom) and Ada de Warenne, Countess of Surrey in the 12th century. In recent times, the name Ada has seen a resurgence in popularity, ranking among the top 1000 names for girls born in several countries including the United States, England, and Wales.
The name Ada had its peak popularity during the late 19th to early 20th century with consistent birth occurrences ranging from 5 to 12 per year between 1885 and 1938. There was a significant decline in its usage after the 1930s, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded until 2010. The total number of births registered under this name over the given period is 277.