Vada
Vada is a girl name of German origin meaning “Famous ruler, from Vada”, pronounced VAY-dah. It ranked #886 in the United States in 2025, given to 302 babies, and peaked at #334 in 1901. Common nicknames: Vay, Dada.
How popular is Vada in the United States?
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
What does Vada mean, and where does it come from?
Vada is usually explained as a short form of Valda, from the Germanic wald, "rule," though nineteenth-century American families may simply have liked the sound. It stood at 334th place in 1901 and then disappeared for most of a century. My Girl brought it back in 1991, giving the name to its eleven-year-old heroine, and it has been climbing gently since. It sits with Ada, Nova and Vera among the short vintage names that sound modern by accident.
How is Vada used around the world?
Vada is used in 1 languages worldwide.
TypeUnisex name
Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.
What are the nicknames for Vada?
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Sibling Name Ideas for Vada
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Vada mean?
Vada is a girl name of German origin meaning "Famous ruler, from Vada." Vada is usually explained as a short form of Valda, from the Germanic wald, "rule," though nineteenth-century American families may simply have liked the sound. It stood at 334th place in 1901 and then disappeared for most of a century.
How do you pronounce Vada?
Vada is pronounced VAY-dah. Common variations include Vayda, Veda, Valda.
Is Vada a girl name?
Yes, Vada is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Vay, Dada.