'ady' originates from the names 'Adrian' or 'Adelaide', where 'Adrian' is derived from the Latin name 'Hadrianus', meaning 'from Hadria', and 'Adelaide' is derived from the Germanic name 'Adalheidis', meaning 'noble kind'.

'Adrian' and 'Adelaide' transformed into the affectionate form 'ady' in modern English.

Initially, 'ady' was used as a diminutive form of 'Adrian' or 'Adelaide', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.