"rhythm, musical flow, beat"
Origin: Latin 'cadere'
Language: English
Cadence
Pronunciation: [ k-AYD-uhns ]
Does Cadence flow with your last name?
Life lived in perfect rhythm — a musical word name
American
English
Modern
Elegant
Whimsical
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Cadence
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"falling tone, resolution"
Origin: Italian 'cadenza'
Language: Music
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The Story of Cadence
Cadence comes from the Latin 'cadere' (to fall), which became the Italian 'cadenza' and French 'cadence,' referring to the rhythmic flow or beat in music and speech. In music, a cadence is a harmonic progression that creates a sense of resolution or conclusion. As a girl's name, Cadence emerged in the late 20th century as part of a trend toward using musical and sound-related words as first names — alongside Melody, Harmony, Lyric, and Aria.
Cadence entered the US top 1000 names in 2002 and rose steadily through the 2000s and 2010s, reaching its peak around 2012-2016. It benefited from the popularity of the similar-sounding Caden/Kaden for boys and the broader trend toward musical word names. Princess Cadance from 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' (2012) gave the name significant visibility among younger parents.
Cadence belongs to a beautiful category of musical word names that have become fashionable in the 21st century. In military culture, the term 'cadence' refers to the rhythmic chants soldiers sing while marching — giving the name an additional layer of discipline and synchrony. The name reflects a modern American taste for names that evoke movement, art, and beauty.
Historical Record
Cadence first appeared in US Social Security records in 1974.
Over 22,182 babies have been named Cadence in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cadence is past its peak , currently ranked #1,036 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In music theory, a cadence is a harmonic progression that creates a sense of rest or resolution — making the name evocative of beautiful endings and new beginnings
- Princess Cadance (officially Princess Mi Amore Cadenza) from 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' is the Princess of Love, a beloved character among fans of the franchise
- The word 'cadence' is also used in military marching songs (jody calls), where it coordinates the rhythm of troops marching in unison
Cadence in Other Languages
French
Cadence
German
Kadenz
Italian
Cadenza
Spanish
Cadencia
Portuguese
Cadência
Popularity Over Time
#1,036
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2007
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cadence
C
Cadence Wilson
Musician
Stage name used by various emerging musicians and artists, reflecting the name's strong association with music and rhyth...
Stage name used by various emerging musicians and artists, reflecting the name's strong association with music and rhythm
P
Princess Cadance (Mi Amore Cadenza) Fictional
Other
The Princess of Love in 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'; Twilight Sparkle's foalsitter and later sister-in-law; on...
The Princess of Love in 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'; Twilight Sparkle's foalsitter and later sister-in-law; one of the most beloved characters in the franchise
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Compare Cadence with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,036
- Total SSA Count
- 242
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Cadi
Cade
Cay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cadence
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Cadence is also used as a boy name, ranked #1801.
View Cadence as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cadence
What does the name Cadence mean?
"rhythm, musical flow, beat" (from Latin 'cadere'). "falling tone, resolution" (from Italian 'cadenza'). Cadence comes from the Latin 'cadere' (to fall), which became the Italian 'cadenza' and French 'cadence,' referring to the rhythmic flow or beat in music and speech. In music, a cadence is a harmonic progression that creates a sense of resolution or conclusion. As a girl's name, Cadence emerged in the late 20th century as part of a trend toward using musical and sound-related words as first names — alongside Melody, Harmony, Lyric, and Aria.
What is the origin of the name Cadence?
Cadence has Latin 'cadere', Italian 'cadenza', American, and English origins. In Latin 'cadere', it means "rhythm, musical flow, beat". In Italian 'cadenza', it means "falling tone, resolution".
Is Cadence a boy or girl name?
Cadence is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1036. As a boy name, it is ranked #1801. Cadence is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cadence?
Cadence is pronounced k-AYD-uhns.
How popular is the name Cadence?
Cadence is currently ranked #1036 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cadence?
Common nicknames for Cadence include Cadi, Cade, and Cay.
What are good middle names for Cadence?
Popular middle name pairings include Cadence Rose, Cadence Grace, Cadence Lynn, Cadence Mae, Cadence Jade, Cadence Hope, and Cadence Faith.
What are good sibling names for Cadence?
Names that pair well with Cadence as siblings include Melody, Harmony, Lyric, Reed, Aria, Cole, and Caden.
How many syllables does Cadence have?
Cadence has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cadence a common or rare name?
Cadence is an uncommon name, ranked #1036 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Cadence
Cadence is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "rhythm, musical flow, beat" in Latin 'cadere' .
Is Cadence a boy or girl name? Cadence is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,036 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,801. Cadence is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cadence is currently ranked #1,036 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cadence has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AYD-uhns, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cadence include Cadi, Cade, and Cay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis