Ada is named after Augusta Ada Byron, or Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, who is frequently credited as being the first computer programmer.

Ada is influenced by Pascal, Java, C++ among other programming languages. It was developed for the U.S. Defense Department to replace the different programming languages that the department used. It is designed specifically for developing applications where accuracy, safety, reliability and maintainability are primary requirements. Since it is a high level programming language, its syntax is English-like and easy to remember.