Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Vada
Girl
- Meaning
- uncertain (origin disputed)
- Pronunciation
- VAY-duh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #886
- US babies 2025
- 302
- Best rank
- #334 (1901)
- Peak year
- 2020
Meaning and origin of Vada
The origin of Vada is uncertain.
Vada is a name of uncertain origin. It may be a variant of names like Ada or Vida, but no explanation is settled. The name was used in the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, giving it a vintage feel. Many people know it from the film My Girl, whose young heroine is named Vada Sultenfuss. Vada has a soft, two-syllable sound and pairs well with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Vada has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 77 different years. Its best national rank was #334 in 1901, and the most babies received it in 2020, when 335 were named Vada. In 2025, 302 babies were named Vada, and it ranked #886 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #496 in 1920, #1,348 in 1950, #6,773 in 1980, #3,165 in 2000, #2,092 in 2010, and #886 in 2025. Of the 12,927 US girls named Vada since records began, 17% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,892 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Anais, Kamilah, Rosalee, Nyra, and Denisse.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Vada ranked highest in West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Missouri.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #228 | 8 |
| Wisconsin | #363 | 15 |
| Missouri | #478 | 13 |
| Ohio | #481 | 23 |
| Minnesota | #499 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Vada is usually pronounced VAY-duh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with V and ends in “-da”.
Middle names for Vada
A few middle names that flow with Vada: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Vada
Similar names
Zelda Girl
ZEHL-duh
“short form of Griselda” · Germanic
#832
Veda Girl
VAY-duh
“knowledge” · Sanskrit
#739
Jada Girl
JAY-duh
American (modern coinage)
#1,201
Ada Girl
AY-duh
“noble” · Germanic
#219
Jayda Girl
JAY-duh
“modern variant of Jada” · American (modern coinage)
#1,214
Linda Girl
LIHN-duh
“pretty (Spanish); from Germanic names” · Germanic
#902
Frida Girl
FREE-duh
“peace” · German
#1,565
Aila Girl
EYE-luh
#827
Vida Girl
VEE-duh
“life” · Spanish
#1,218
Zaida Girl
ZAY-duh
“growth, abundance” · Arabic
#2,932
Huda Girl
HOO-duh
“guidance” · Arabic
#1,739
Rida Girl
REE-duh
“contentment, satisfaction” · Arabic
#6,773
Lists that include Vada
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vada mean?
The origin of Vada is uncertain.
Is Vada a popular name?
Yes. Vada ranked #886 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Vada a boy or girl name?
Vada is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Vada?
Vada is usually pronounced VAY-duh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings