Namewise

Ada vs Meave

Ada and Meavecompared 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.

  • Republic of Ireland · Girls

    In 2025, Ada was ranked #45 and Meave #885 among girls in Republic of Ireland.

  • England and Wales · Girls

    In 2009, Ada was ranked #547 and Meave #5556 among girls in England and Wales.

Side by side

Side-by-side comparison of Ada, Meave
FieldAdaMeave
Record typeEditorially researched profileOfficial statistical record (evidence-only)
Gender usagefemalefemale
MeaningA 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
OriginGermanicNot yet recorded
Pronunciation/ˈeɪ.də/Not yet recorded
Syllables22
Common variants / nicknamesNot yet recordedNot yet recorded
Recorded regional usageGB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZGB-ENW, IE
Most recent popularity observationNorway · Girls #18 (2025)Republic of Ireland · Girls #885 (2025)
Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score)90/100Not yet recorded
Spelling simplicity (demonstration score)95/10094/100
International familiarity (demonstration score)100/10060/100
Data Confidencemediummedium

What the data shows

  • Ada has a recorded origin (Germanic); Meave does not have one recorded yet.
  • Ada and Meave both have 2 syllables.
  • A meaning is recorded for Ada; Meave doesn't have one written yet.
  • Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, IE.

How each name got here

Ada

Popularity journey

  1. 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

  2. Highest recorded1945–2025

    Highest recorded position: #6 among girls in Norway, in 2019 (recorded 1945–2025).

    Norway · Girls

  3. Most recent2025

    Most recently recorded at #18 among girls in Norway, in 2025.

    Norway · Girls

Meave

Popularity journey

  1. First recorded1968

    First recorded at #357 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1968 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.

    Republic of Ireland · Girls

  2. Highest recorded1968–2025

    Highest recorded position: #300 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1974 (recorded 1968–2025).

    Republic of Ireland · Girls

  3. Most recent2025

    Most recently recorded at #885 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.

    Republic of Ireland · Girls