Ava is an unstoppable Top Ten choice. Parents are rediscovering Ida, too. But if you find Ava too popular and Ida too retro, today’s choice might just be the perfect compromise.
Thanks to Sophie for suggesting Ada as Name of the Day.
Ada is often listed as a nickname for Adelaide, and that’s certainly sometimes true. But she’s no mere diminutive. Ada stands on her own quite nicely. She’s also pan-global, with at least three possible derivations:
- The Biblical Ada or Adah was worn by two women – the wife of Lamech and the wife of Esau;
- Just like Adelaide – and Adele, Adela, Adeline and so on – she may trace her roots to the Germanic element adal – noble;
- There’s a West African name Ada, usually said to mean “first daughter.” The element Ada appears in many names from the region, including Adanna and Adaeke. There’s also a town called Ada in Ghana.
Given her many possible origins, it is little wonder that there’s more than one way to say Ada. AY dah is probably most common in the US, but I’ve known an ah DAH and you can make a case for AH dah, too.
There’s also a Greek origin for Ada, though the meaning is lost to time. Back in the 300s BC, Ada of Caria ruled as satrap. She lost her lands to a relative, only to have them restored through an alliance with Alexander the Great.
Plenty of notables have worn the name since then, including:
- St. Ada, a French nun from the 600s;
- Charlemagne’s sister is usually called Ada, and an illuminated manuscript dedicated to her is known as the Ada Gospels. However, it may not have been her formal name – their mother was Bertrada; one of Charlemagne’s wives was Fastrada, and he had daughters called Adalhaid, Adaltrude and Theodrada;
- Ada de Warenne, a twelfth century wife of a Scottish prince and mother of two future Kings of Scots;
- Dutch and Scottish countesses were both called Ada in the thirteenth century, along with a scattering of other noblewomen;
- Nabokov used the name for a 1969 novel.
The Biblical reference might’ve prompted some parents to rediscover Ada in the post-Reformation years. But it was the poet Byron who revived this choice in the nineteenth century. Though he named his daughter after her aunt Augusta, she was always known by her middle name – Ada. Her parents separated while she was just a babe, but the charming and clever Ada Lovelace was no less accomplished than her famous father. In fact, Ada’s work with Charles Babbage is acknowledged as the earliest model for a computer and software. The US Defense Departement even named a computer language Ada in her honor.
The name was a sensation in the nineteenth century, ranking as high as #33 back in 1880. Ada remained in the Top 100 thru 1912, but fell afterwards, leaving the rankings entirely after 1985.
But today she’s back, fueled by the revival of interest in Biblical choices and nineteenth century names alike. In 2004, she ranked #852. By last year, Ada stood at #598.
She’s in good company. Other vowel-intensive mini-names in vogue include:
- Powerhouse Ava (#5)
- The just-slightly-different Eva (#114)
- The tiny Ana (#169)
- The botanical Ivy (#298 )
- The Slavic Anya (#375)
- The equally pan-global Ayla (#406)
She could also serve as a nickname for Addison (#12), Adeline (#361) and company.
Ada fits so neatly into more than one trend that she’s both a perfect choice for a daughter born in 2009 – and a possible source of headaches, as her name is constantly mistaken for Ava or Ana or Addie.
I think Ada is adorable. I actually knew a little Polish girl named Ada and it was pronounced (AH-dah), which I thought was just downright pretty. I also adore the English pronunciation of Ay-dah. Speaking of “adore,” Ada could also make a great nickname for Adora.
I love this name but do think it would get constantly confused with Ava. Plus, Addie is absolutely everywhere and puts me off all the Ad- names.
I’ve known a girl named Ada, pronounced AH-dah. Not my cup of tea. My newest SIL is considering Ada (AY-dah) for her bun in the oven.It’s okay…but the babe will get confused with Ava allllll the time. Still, I’m glad she’s not into Madison. My other SIL picked nice, classic/traditional names, nothing trendy for her kids, and I would hate the new SIL to mess up the standards we’ve set. LOL
Wow, I could have sworn I answered this earlier! Weird.
Anyway, to repeat myself, I need to meet a little ada, right now all that’s in my head is the nasty old lady three doors down (or was it two? I forget). Ada & Nellie were sisters that lived together, Nellie was nice, Ada was mean.
So while I like Ada’s sound and agree, she’ll be mistaken for Ava quite a bit; Ada for me needs a new image, I can’t help but think of the one I did know. I’d rather Adele or Adeline, the only two longer forms I do like. And even then, I’d nickname Della before Ada, because of that nasty one. Ada’s lovely, but I love Ida (and Della)!
Thanks for another NotD
I really began to like Ada through my long love of Adeline, which I don’t like as much any more. I like that she’s more streamlined and simple, and down here, I don’t think she’d get mixed up with Ava (even though she sits at #6). Most recently, I’ve become enamoured with Ida though – I love her! But can’t use her up front, hence Beatrix Ida Primrose!
Poor Ada sounds overused through no fault of her own. People are naturally inclined towards names that sound familiar, and then change it slightly if it seems too popular (which is ironically what made it attractive in the first place). Emma/Emily become Emerson, Ava becomes Eva, and Madison becomes Addison. Ada is really close to Ava, and there’s already a slew of little Addies. A completely admirable choice, but not a standout by any means.
Adelaide was on my short list for years – my husband’s nn is Del, so Adelaide and Cordelia would honor Dad. But I hear you about all the Addies out there … it’s not quite as common as Maddie, but I’m sure she’s on her way. Factor in the Avas and yeah, this one isn’t as distinctive as she appears at first glance.
Too bad, because she’s really quite charming.
It is pretty, and I love the sound of Addy, but honestly? You did way better w/ Clio/Claire. Claire just sounds so bright and shiny, and Clio is as distinctive as it is cute. Hard to beat, I say. Bonus points for timelessness: you can’t tell by name alone how old a Claire is; she could be eight or eighty.
Ada is beautiful, and I love all the German “noble” names, particularly Adeline, Adelaide, and Adelie.
Last year’s Christmas tree was called Adah because with the biblical spelling it means “adornment.” Yes, I do name my Christmas trees.
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