Adah

Meaning & origin

Adah is a biblical name with a straightforward meaning of 'adornment,' making it a simple but meaningful choice. Its popularity peaked early in 1883 when it ranked 1818, a testament to its 19th-century use, but it fell out of favor for most of the 20th century. Since 1995, however, its trajectory has been steadily rising, with the one-in-n ratio of 14,612 indicating a rare but growing pick. Top states for its use include Minnesota, Tennessee, and Georgia, suggesting a spread across regions. The name's Old Testament roots give it a classic feel that fits with the revival of short biblical names.

Adah appears twice in the Hebrew Bible: as the wife of Lamech (Genesis 4:19) and as a daughter of Elon the Hittite and wife of Esau (Genesis 36:2). The name derives from the Hebrew root עדה (adah), meaning 'to adorn or ornament.' It was adopted by Puritans in the 17th century and saw modest use in the United States during the 19th century, peaking in 1883 at rank 1818. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1995.