"rhythm, beat, flow"
Origin: Latin via French
Language: English
Cadence
Pronunciation: [ k-AYD-uhns ]
Does Cadence flow with your last name?
A musical name flowing with rhythm and grace
American
English
Modern
Artistic
Bold
Playful
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Cadence
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"falling, resolution"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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The Story of Cadence
Cadence comes from the Latin cadere meaning to fall, which gave rise to the musical term for the rhythmic flow or beat of sound and movement. In music, a cadence is a sequence of chords or notes that brings a phrase to a resolution. The word entered English through Italian cadenza and French cadence. As a given name, Cadence has been predominantly used for girls but has crossed into boy usage, fitting the modern trend of musical and rhythmic word names.
Cadence entered the US baby name charts in the early 2000s and peaked around 2010-2015. While primarily used for girls, it has seen some use for boys as musical word names have grown in appeal. The Cade nickname makes it accessible and masculine-friendly.
Cadence represents the modern trend of giving children names drawn from music and artistic concepts, joining names like Harmony, Lyric, and Melody. For a boy, it signals parents who value artistic expression and are comfortable with gender-expansive naming choices.
Historical Record
Cadence first appeared in US Social Security records in 1992.
Over 2,049 babies have been named Cadence in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cadence is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,801 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In music, a cadence is the resolution of tension at the end of a musical phrase — a fitting metaphor for a child who brings completion to a family
- Cadence is among a group of musical word names that have become popular, alongside Lyric, Harmony, and Aria
Cadence in Other Languages
French
Cadence
Italian
Cadenza
Spanish
Cadencia
Portuguese
Cadência
Popularity Over Time
#1,801
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cadence
C
Cadence Weapon
Musician
1986
Canadian hip-hop artist and poet laureate of Edmonton, known for innovative electronic hip-hop
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,801
- Total SSA Count
- 91
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cade
Cady
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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American 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 Girl Name
Cadence is also used as a girl name, ranked #1036.
View Cadence as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cadence
What does the name Cadence mean?
"rhythm, beat, flow" (from Latin via French). "falling, resolution" (from Latin). Cadence comes from the Latin cadere meaning to fall, which gave rise to the musical term for the rhythmic flow or beat of sound and movement. In music, a cadence is a sequence of chords or notes that brings a phrase to a resolution. The word entered English through Italian cadenza and French cadence. As a given name, Cadence has been predominantly used for girls but has crossed into boy usage, fitting the modern trend of musical and rhythmic word names.
What is the origin of the name Cadence?
Cadence has Latin via French, Latin, American, and English origins. In Latin via French, it means "rhythm, beat, flow". In Latin, it means "falling, resolution".
Is Cadence a boy or girl name?
Cadence is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1801. As a girl name, it is ranked #1036. 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 #1801 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cadence?
Common nicknames for Cadence include Cade and Cady.
What are good middle names for Cadence?
Popular middle name pairings include Cadence James, Cadence Lee, Cadence Cole, Cadence Stone, Cadence Reed, Cadence Grey, and Cadence Blake.
What are good sibling names for Cadence?
Names that pair well with Cadence as siblings include Lyric, Melody, Rhythm, Aria, Harmony, Verse, and Reed.
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 #1801 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Cadence?
About the Name Cadence
Cadence is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "rhythm, beat, flow" in Latin via French .
Is Cadence a boy or girl name? Cadence is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,801 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,036. Cadence is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cadence is currently ranked #1,801 in popularity for boy 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 Cade and Cady. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cadence include Caden, Cade . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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