Ada vs Kelsey
Ada and Kelseycompared 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 2022, Ada was ranked #37 and Kelsey #418 among girls in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Ada was ranked #40 and Kelsey #1603 among girls in England and Wales.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Ada was ranked #44 and Kelsey #638 among girls in Scotland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Ada was ranked #45 and Kelsey #544 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2012, Ada was ranked #4805 and Kelsey #3987 among boys in England and Wales.
Ada and Kelsey over time
Ada and Kelsey appear together in 2 published lists, across 54 years of shared records. Kelsey held the stronger position in more years in 2 of them, Ada in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Kelsey reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 2 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.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Ada held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Kelsey in 17.
Highest recorded here: Ada #36 in 2022, Kelsey #87 in 1998.
The order changed in 2013: Ada moved ahead. In 2012 they stood at #384 and #322; by 2013 that had become #280 and #373.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Ada #40, Kelsey #1603.
Republic of Ireland · Girls25 shared years, 2001–2025
Ada held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Kelsey in 13.
Highest recorded here: Ada #34 in 2023, Kelsey #121 in 2003.
The order changed in 2014: Ada moved ahead. In 2013 they stood at #286 and #241; by 2014 that had become #242 and #264.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Ada #45, Kelsey #544.
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 | Kelsey |
|---|---|---|
| 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, NZ |
| 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 | 88/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Ada has a recorded origin (Germanic); Kelsey does not have one recorded yet.
- Ada and Kelsey both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Ada; Kelsey doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
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
Kelsey
Popularity journey
First recorded1989
First recorded at #80 among girls in New Zealand in 1989 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New Zealand · Girls
Highest recorded1989–1999
Highest recorded position: #48 among girls in New Zealand, in 1991 (recorded 1989–1999).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #544 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls