Ada vs Iona
Ada and Ionacompared 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.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Ada was ranked #35 and Iona #237 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Ada was ranked #40 and Iona #451 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Ada was ranked #44 and Iona #83 among girls in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Ada was ranked #45 and Iona #544 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
Ada and Iona over time
Ada and Iona appear together in 3 published lists, across 59 years of shared records. Ada held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Iona 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.
Iona 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 2016, Ada moved ahead of Iona in Northern Ireland · Girls — #358 and #269 the year before became #137 and #229.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Ada and Iona changed places 7 times in Republic of Ireland · Girls between 2001 and 2025, ending at #45 and #544.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Ada held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Iona in 16.
Highest recorded here: Ada #36 in 2022, Iona #199 in 2000.
The order changed in 2012: Ada moved ahead. In 2011 they stood at #386 and #375; by 2012 that had become #384 and #412.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Ada #40, Iona #451.
Republic of Ireland · Girls20 shared years, 2001–2025
Ada held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Iona in 4.
Highest recorded here: Ada #34 in 2023, Iona #314 in 2003.
The order changed in 2009: Ada moved ahead. In 2008 they stood at #430 and #403; by 2009 that had become #410 and #582.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ada #45, Iona #544.
Northern Ireland · Girls10 shared years, 2013–2023
Ada held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Iona in 2.
Highest recorded here: Ada #35 in 2023, Iona #229 in 2016.
The order changed in 2016: Ada moved ahead. In 2015 they stood at #358 and #269; by 2016 that had become #137 and #229.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Ada #35, Iona #237.
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 | Iona |
|---|---|---|
| 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 #544 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ada has a recorded origin (Germanic); Iona does not have one recorded yet.
- Ada and Iona both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Ada; Iona 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
Iona
Popularity journey
First recorded1988
First recorded at #492 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1988 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #544 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls