In France, many parents are looking for a
rare first nameeasy to wear, without falling into eccentricity. In recent statistics from INSEE, an old three-letter female first name is slowly resurfacing, with around 130 births in 2025, which places it around 399th place for girls. It is mainly found in Paris and in a few large cities, far from mass first names. Born in
Middle Ageslong linked to the elites, today it ticks almost all the codes for 2025 first names.
This first name is Adam. Behind these three letters lies a surprisingly rich history, from Germanic nobility to digital culture. Ada is the short form ofAdelaide and draws on the Germanic root “adal-” which means “noble”. It is also related to the biblical first name Adahlinked to “ornament” in Hebrew, and close meanings in Yoruba such as “little girl” or “royal girl”. Add to this the aura ofAda Lovelacea pioneer in computing, and you get a first name that is old, chic and very contemporary.
Ada, a rare first name that is rising in the French rankings
Ada has been given to approximately 1,587 babies since 1900, which is still very few nationally. There were 31 births in 1924, then a long crossing of the desert before a slight return with 32 births in 2014, 66 in 2020 and around 130 in 2025. These figures, from INSEE data based on the file
RNIPPare now rounded to the multiple of 5, which gives a clear trend without claiming to be close to the baby.
The birth chart tells something else: an urban micro-trend. Between 2015 and 2025, Paris (75) records 80 small Adas, far ahead of Seine-Saint-Denis (25), Bas-Rhin (22) or Rhône (22). Some guides speak of a “Parisian boho-chic first name”, associated with a creative image. Ada has been given to 49 boys since 1900, or around 5% of births, which gives this first name a slight scent of diversity, even if it remains overwhelmingly feminine.
Meaning of Ada: Medieval nobility and geek culture
Historically, the first name Ada spread in Europe in the Middle Ages, especially among noble circles. We find, for example, Saint Ada or Ada de Warenne, an Anglo-Norman figure. The root “adal-” means “noble”, while the proximity to Adah refers to the idea of precious ornament. This heritage nourishes the image of a short but sophisticated first name, often perceived as elegant without being formal.
In the 19th century, Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron and brilliant mathematician, gave the first name a very contemporary dimension: science, code, artificial intelligence. In a context where the
Law of January 8, 1993 opened up the choice of first names and encouraged diversity, Ada returns to the lists of parents who like discreet cultural references rather than high-profile first names.
Why Ada ticks off the 2025 first name trends in Paris
Ada combines several signals that parents are looking for today: three letters, simple pronunciation in most languages, an ancient story that reassures and very contemporary coloring via Ada Lovelace. In Paris, this mix of vintage, international and discreet chic appeals to families who want a rare but not strange first name, capable of accompanying a child all over the world without losing its charm.