Adah

Adah is a Hebrew biblical name meaning adornment or ornament. In Genesis it is borne by more than one woman, including the mother of Jabal and Jubal and a wife of Esau. Those separate figures give the name a textual history that is distinct from the similarly written Ada.

Ada is usually explained through a Germanic name family associated with nobility, whereas Adah’s final h helps preserve its Hebrew identity. The two names may sound alike in English, but they need not share an origin. Addah is another spelling found in the same Hebrew name family. Families choosing Adah may value its short form and specific biblical connection together.