Agreed, but the problem you're describing has nothing to do with looking like COBOL. If we're talking superficial syntax, my first thought was that it looks like Ruby but with C++-style interface/implementation separation. The syntax is odd, but not at all unpleasant.

For me, my hurdles were:

* First, I thought that Ada was exclusively a proprietary language.

* Then, I got confused about whether I can use GNAT Community and not publish it under the GPL (https://www.adacore.com/get-started says I must).

* Finally I found FSF GNAT (http://www.getadanow.com/), so it turns out there is a standard-licensed language I can use.

At this point I'm finally ready to actually try Ada, and just haven't started a project that seemed like a good fit. But the bulk of my barrier to entry was licensing questions, not syntax.