Ada vs Darcey
Ada and Darceycompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Ada was ranked #40 and Darcey #305 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Ada was ranked #44 and Darcey #196 among girls in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Ada was ranked #45 and Darcey #718 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Ada was ranked #47 and Darcey #253 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2006, Ada was ranked #3385 and Darcey #2538 among boys in England and Wales.
Ada and Darcey over time
Ada and Darcey appear together in 3 published lists, across 61 years of shared records. Ada held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Darcey in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Darcey reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Ada in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2018, Ada moved ahead of Darcey in England and Wales · Girls — #114 and #92 the year before became #65 and #116.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Ada and Darcey changed places 7 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 2001 and 2025, ending at #45 and #718.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Ada held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Darcey in 22.
Highest recorded here: Ada #36 in 2022, Darcey #72 in 2014.
The order changed in 2018: Ada moved ahead. In 2017 they stood at #114 and #92; by 2018 that had become #65 and #116.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Ada #40, Darcey #305.
Republic of Ireland · Girls21 shared years, 2001–2025
Ada held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Darcey in 3.
Highest recorded here: Ada #34 in 2023, Darcey #233 in 2015.
The order changed in 2013: Ada moved ahead. In 2012 they stood at #371 and #337; by 2013 that had become #286 and #340.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ada #45, Darcey #718.
Northern Ireland · Girls11 shared years, 2013–2024
Ada held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Darcey in 3.
Highest recorded here: Ada #35 in 2023, Darcey #103 in 2013.
The order changed in 2017: Ada moved ahead. In 2016 they stood at #137 and #112; by 2017 that had become #190 and #215.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Ada #47, Darcey #253.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Side by side
| Field | Ada | Darcey |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | A short form of Germanic names beginning with 'adal' meaning 'noble', such as Adelaide or Adelina. Notably borne by Ada Lovelace, who assisted Charles Babbage with early computer development. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Germanic | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈeɪ.də/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #18 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #718 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 88/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ada has a recorded origin (Germanic); Darcey does not have one recorded yet.
- Ada and Darcey both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Ada; Darcey doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
How each name got here
Ada
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #229 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1945–2025
Highest recorded position: #6 among girls in Norway, in 2019 (recorded 1945–2025).
Norway · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #18 among girls in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Girls
Darcey
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #753 among girls in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2024
Highest recorded position: #72 among girls in England and Wales, in 2014 (recorded 1996–2024).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #718 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls