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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Opinions on Ada?

61 replies

Daydreamingg · 04/11/2025 23:03

Ada was a firm favourite for my partner and me - even before we were expecting.

However, my nanna is appalled by this and has expressed that she just thinks of a little old lady - she sees nothing nice about the name at all.

This has naturally caused me to second guess myself and the name.

What's everyone’s opinion? Too old fashioned?

OP posts:
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SleafordSods · 18/12/2025 20:35

ViciousChicken · 17/12/2025 07:14

I love it. It was my grandma’s name (she was born in 1914!) and was on my list if I’d’ve had kids. I also love the Ada Lovelace connection.

Same here only mine was born in 1910. Lovely choice OP Wink

ViciousChicken · 17/12/2025 07:14

I love it. It was my grandma’s name (she was born in 1914!) and was on my list if I’d’ve had kids. I also love the Ada Lovelace connection.

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 17/12/2025 07:08

I think it has a hard, ugly sound, and that Ava is much prettier.

user1492757084 · 17/12/2025 06:50

Ada is sweet.
What names does Granny like?
What is Granny's name?

Seymour5 · 17/12/2025 06:02

We have a teen Ada in the wider family, she is lovely. A friend’s four year old DGD is also Ada.

Giraffehaver · 16/12/2025 23:27

I love Ada. It's currently on our list. Short,sweet, easy to spell. Gorgeous

Marcipix · 16/12/2025 23:25

Sister to Aggie and Gladys.
Bunions and cat food.

HugoYorway · 16/12/2025 23:16

I do prefer it to Ava. Me too. I don't see the appeal of Ava. It's so nothingy.

Pettenell · 16/12/2025 23:15

Ada was number 40 in the UK most popular baby names in 2024. In other words, a fairly common name, so not 'old-fashioned' at all. A pleasant, straightforward name.

HighlyUnusual · 16/12/2025 23:04

Gladys- now there's a name that I don't think is coming back around again.

I think Ada is ok, Ava nicer, but both much better than Gladys or Mildred.

Calliopespa · 16/12/2025 22:55

Old lady names are in, but my issue is that, while I don't mind a name that conjures up a little old lady, for me Ada is not a particularly elegant sort of old lady!

It's a bit hair curlers under a head scarf!

I do prefer it to Ava.

As a pp said, though, you won't please everyone, and Ada isn't a weird or horrible name.

couldthisbe2501 · 16/12/2025 20:11

Ada or Eleanor was my choice should have had a girl. Alas, I did not. Ada is a beautiful name.

HerVagestyTheQueef · 16/12/2025 20:09

I think it's absolutely lovely!

Nursemumma92 · 16/12/2025 20:03

I have a 2 year old Ada so very biased but i love it! I am also a nurse and met a couple of old lady Adas in my career but that's nothing compared to the number of elderly ladies I've looked after!

Avavlon · 16/12/2025 19:58

It was the name off the grandma I never met and my oldest aunt abd it my second name.
I was embarrassed by it when I was younger and never considered it would come back in to fashion it to late for me to ever use it but if I was younger I would definitely use it now yes it a old lady name well it was but I work in elderly care and have never meat a old Ada that generation has died out .
So if you love it use it I wish I could

Daydreamingg · 05/11/2025 23:15

Pranksters · 05/11/2025 10:46

There are tons of Adas around, it’s hardly unusual. And Avas.

lol not what I was asking. I am aware of the statistics, this thread is more about whether or not the name conjures the image of a little old lady and if this puts people off of the name, or if it it’s just the opinion of my nan.

Thank you to everyone for your replies! I agree that the spelling Ada is a lot nice than Ayda or Aada. I’m glad the general consensus is that people like the name (or are at least not offended by it) :)

OP posts:
askmenothing · 05/11/2025 18:03

I love it! My DD’s bestie is an Ada and it suits her and she’s just lovely. Go for it!

RuthW · 05/11/2025 18:00

Nice name but I’d be put off by its popularity. I’m probably your mum’s age.

ginasevern · 05/11/2025 16:40

I'm 68 and when I was growing up "Ada" would have very much been an old lady name. Sort of in the same league as Gladys or Mildred. So I know where your Nan is coming from. But to be honest I think it's a really nice name and a bit different (for now anyway). Younger people won't have the same connotations as us oldies.

crappycrapcrap · 05/11/2025 14:30

I have a 14 year old Ada so obviously love the name.

We've heard the name out and about much more recently.

Gentlydoesit2 · 05/11/2025 14:10

Beautiful name. Your daughter... Don't listen to anyone else. Nana won't be around forever 😉🤷🏼‍♀️

Onefortheroad25 · 05/11/2025 14:06

I love it. Such a great name. I loved Ada in Peaky Blinders.

Dee51121 · 05/11/2025 13:55

I love the name Ada. I would be really tempted to use it if I had another girl. The only thing that puts me off is it's become quite popular, the 40th most popular girls name in England and Wales last year. If popularity doesn't bother you though I would definitely go for it.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 05/11/2025 10:53

I love Ada and Ava.

Pranksters · 05/11/2025 10:46

There are tons of Adas around, it’s hardly unusual. And Avas.