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.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Ada has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births named Ada fluctuated between around 600 to 1400 annually. However, starting from the 1950s, there was a steady decline in the popularity of the name Ada, with fewer than 300 births per year recorded.
Interestingly, since the early 2000s, there has been a notable resurgence in the use of the name Ada. In 2004, there were 302 births named Ada, and this number continued to rise steadily each year. By 2018, the popularity of the name had reached an all-time high with 1466 births recorded.
This trend has continued into the current decade, with 1560 births in 2020, 1646 in 2021, and 1653 in 2022. The most recent data from 2023 shows a slight dip to 1647 births named Ada.
Overall, the name Ada has experienced a fascinating journey in terms of popularity over the past century and a half in the United States, with a notable recent revival.