"ornament, adornment"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Adah
Pronunciation: [ AD-ah ]
Does Adah flow with your last name?
One of the first named women in the Bible — timeless beauty
Jewish
Hebrew
Christian
American
Vintage
Spiritual
Elegant
Classic
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"beauty, loveliness"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Adah
Adah is one of the oldest names in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Genesis 4 as the wife of Lamech and one of the first named women in scripture after Eve. It derives from the Hebrew root adi meaning ornament or adornment, signifying a woman of beauty and worth. Adah also appears in Genesis 36 as a wife of Esau. The name's biblical antiquity and soft, elegant sound have made it attractive to parents seeking something authentically ancient yet modern-feeling.
Adah has gained momentum in the 2010s-2020s as part of the resurgence of short, biblical girl names like Ada, Ida, and Leah. It appeals to parents who want something that sounds like Ada (extremely popular) but is rarer and has deeper biblical roots.
As one of the first named women in Genesis, Adah holds a special place in Jewish biblical tradition. Her story in Genesis 4 — as mother to Jabal and Jubal, ancestors of nomads and musicians — connects the name to creativity and civilization's origins.
Historical Record
Adah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,980 babies have been named Adah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Adah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,053 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Adah is one of only a handful of women named in the early chapters of Genesis
- The name appears in Genesis 4:19-20 and Genesis 36:2, making it one of the oldest recorded Hebrew women's names
Adah in Other Languages
Arabic
عدة
French
Ada
Hebrew
עָדָה
Italian
Ada
Spanish
Ada
Popularity Over Time
#2,053
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Adah
A
Adah Menken
Entertainer
1835
American actress, poet, and scandalous celebrity of the mid-19th century, the highest-paid actress of her era
A
Adah
Other
Biblical figure in Genesis, wife of Lamech and mother of Jabal and Jubal — among the first named women in scripture
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,053
- Total SSA Count
- 94
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Hebrew Christian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ada
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Adah
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Adah
What does the name Adah mean?
"ornament, adornment" (from Hebrew). "beauty, loveliness" (from Hebrew). Adah is one of the oldest names in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Genesis 4 as the wife of Lamech and one of the first named women in scripture after Eve. It derives from the Hebrew root adi meaning ornament or adornment, signifying a woman of beauty and worth. Adah also appears in Genesis 36 as a wife of Esau. The name's biblical antiquity and soft, elegant sound have made it attractive to parents seeking something authentically ancient yet modern-feeling.
What is the origin of the name Adah?
Adah has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "ornament, adornment". In Hebrew, it means "beauty, loveliness".
Is Adah a boy or girl name?
Adah is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Adah?
Adah is pronounced AD-ah.
How popular is the name Adah?
Adah is currently ranked #2053 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Adah?
Common nicknames for Adah include Ada.
What are good middle names for Adah?
Popular middle name pairings include Adah Rose, Adah Grace, Adah Pearl, Adah Mae, Adah Louise, and Adah Jean.
What are good sibling names for Adah?
Names that pair well with Adah as siblings include Zillah, Miriam, Esther, Leah, Asher, and Eli.
How many syllables does Adah have?
Adah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Adah a common or rare name?
Adah is an uncommon name, ranked #2053 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Adah?
About the Name Adah
Adah is a girl name with Jewish, Hebrew, Christian, and American origins . The name means "ornament, adornment" in Hebrew .
Adah is currently ranked #2,053 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Adah has 2 syllables and is pronounced AD-ah, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Adah include Ada. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Adah include Adalynn, Ada, Adaline, Adalyn, Adalee . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis