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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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
GehenSieweiter · 05/11/2025 09:02

GehenSieweiter · 05/11/2025 08:54

I'm not keen, but more because I am not keen on really short names and less because of perceived ideas of 'old ladies'.
If you and OH like it then it doesn't matter what other's think.

Others clearly, I can spell but autocorrect cannot, it seems.

newrubylane · 05/11/2025 09:02

It was on the shortlist for me and and my techy husband!

Moreteaandchocolate · 05/11/2025 09:01

Lovely! Not old lady any more - it’s made a comeback and feels vintage chic to me! My only hesitation would be people mishearing it as the very popular Ava.

KantankrusMare · 05/11/2025 09:00

Love it but then Im biased as its the name of my granddaughter. I was unsure when they first chose the name but now it suits her perfectly.

GehenSieweiter · 05/11/2025 08:56

HugoYorway · 05/11/2025 08:52

The y ruins it. At least Ada makes me think Lovelace. Ayda looks like a 1970s slimming aid.

Agree. I'd also wonder if It was pronounced Eye-da.

GehenSieweiter · 05/11/2025 08:54

I'm not keen, but more because I am not keen on really short names and less because of perceived ideas of 'old ladies'.
If you and OH like it then it doesn't matter what other's think.

HugoYorway · 05/11/2025 08:52

The y ruins it. At least Ada makes me think Lovelace. Ayda looks like a 1970s slimming aid.

PashaMinaMio · 05/11/2025 08:47

I love it!
I know an Ayda. She’s adorable and great fun.

Ayda Williams is an American actress married to
our Robbie Williams.
Go for it!

Caspianberg · 05/11/2025 08:45

Depends.
i like it with uk pronunciation, but when o mentioned it in mainland Europe everyone said it like ‘adder’ like a snake.

curious79 · 05/11/2025 08:43

95 yrs old before her time

MissingTrees · 05/11/2025 08:42

I'm probably your nan's age and I love the name Ada.
I didn't know any Ada's even in my mother's generation (she was born in 1935), so it is not an old lady name to me, it's a historic name.

Cat1504 · 05/11/2025 08:42

I know of 2 Adas ….but spelt Aada

HugoYorway · 05/11/2025 08:39

Ayda is horrible.

2chocolateoranges · 05/11/2025 08:37

I know a 7yr old Ada and an 8yr old Ayda. Both pronounced the same.

HugoYorway · 05/11/2025 08:35

I don't like it at all, but it is better than Ava.

dailyconniptions · 05/11/2025 07:48

It's a geriatric name to me I'm afraid.

zazazaaar · 05/11/2025 07:13

Has she not been noticing that for the last 25 years people have been calling their kids names of this generation? Its hardly new!

Harassedmum123 · 05/11/2025 07:12

I like it but I didn’t have my lenses in when I read it and misread it as Asda! Ava is prettier but there are a lot of children called Ava in my dc class at school.

heartsinvisiblefury · 05/11/2025 07:10

Love it !

ResusciAnnie · 05/11/2025 06:46

I’m sure we’ll be thinking (maybe not saying!) the same thing when our (great) grandchildren are called Keith and Lynn.

I personally like Ada and think it’s stronger and fresher than Ava. But you’re never going to please everyone.

Firsttimebabymummy · 05/11/2025 06:46

Love Ada!

sashh · 05/11/2025 06:41

Fantastic name, shared with the first computer programmer. I see we have a mini Lovelace fan convention going on.

LattePatty · 05/11/2025 06:38

Love the name Ada and the Ada Lovelace association helps

CanadianCooper · 05/11/2025 03:30

*pretty

CanadianCooper · 05/11/2025 02:53

Also came to mention Ada Lovelace. Strong name. Not for me as I don’t think it’s a Perry name. But I don’t like Ava either.