Cade

Pronunciation: [ k-AYD ]

Boy Name #272 Most Popular Steady 1 Syllable

Crisp, clean, and unapologetically American

English American

Modern Minimalist Strong Bold American

Meaning & Origin

"round barrel, lump"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"surname origin from Gaelic Mac Caid"

Origin: Gaelic

Language: Irish

The Story of Cade

Cade derives from the Old English and Middle English word cade, referring to a barrel or cask. It also has roots in a Gaelic surname Mac Caid. As a given name, Cade is a modern American coinage that gained popularity in the 1990s and 2000s as part of the trend toward short, punchy monosyllabic names for boys. It stands out for its crisp sound and memorable brevity.

Cade emerged as a given name in the late 20th century, rising alongside similar short names like Cole, Beau, and Tate. It has been particularly popular in the American South and West. The name benefits from its simple spelling, easy pronunciation, and the growing preference for one-syllable names that convey confidence without complexity.

Cade is an essentially American name, reflecting the cultural preference for strong, simple names that don't carry heavy historical or religious baggage. It fits naturally into the modern American naming landscape alongside names like Beau, Cole, and Reid.

Fun Facts

Cade is one of the few monosyllabic male names that has risen in popularity without a famous historical figure driving it
Cade Cunningham, the NBA star born in 2001, represents a new generation of athletic bearers of the name
The name has no direct equivalent in most non-English languages, making it distinctly American in flavor

Cade in Other Languages

French Cade

German Cade

Spanish Cade

Famous People Named Cade

Cade Cunningham

Athlete

2001

American NBA basketball player and Detroit Pistons franchise player, selected first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft

Cade McNown

Athlete

1977

Former NFL quarterback who played for the Chicago Bears after a standout college career at UCLA

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #272
Total SSA Count: 1,260
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Caden #211 Cadence #1801

Pairs Well With

Cade James Cade William Cade Thomas Cade Lee Cade Allen Cade Michael Cade Patrick

Sibling Names

Cole Beau Tate Sloane Reese Quinn Blake

Also a Girl Name

Cade is also used as a girl name, ranked #27288.

View Cade as a girl name →

Similar Names

Aidan Brayden Jacen Cason Cadence Bowden Jayden Kaden

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cade

What does the name Cade mean?

"round barrel, lump" (from Old English). "surname origin from Gaelic Mac Caid" (from Gaelic). Cade derives from the Old English and Middle English word cade, referring to a barrel or cask. It also has roots in a Gaelic surname Mac Caid. As a given name, Cade is a modern American coinage that gained popularity in the 1990s and 2000s as part of the trend toward short, punchy monosyllabic names for boys. It stands out for its crisp sound and memorable brevity.

What is the origin of the name Cade?

Cade has Old English, Gaelic, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "round barrel, lump". In Gaelic, it means "surname origin from Gaelic Mac Caid".

Is Cade a boy or girl name?

Cade is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #272. As a girl name, it is ranked #27288. Cade is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Cade?

Cade is pronounced k-AYD.

How popular is the name Cade?

Cade is currently ranked #272 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Cade?

Popular middle name pairings include Cade James, Cade William, Cade Thomas, Cade Lee, Cade Allen, Cade Michael, and Cade Patrick.

What are good sibling names for Cade?

Names that pair well with Cade as siblings include Cole, Beau, Tate, Sloane, Reese, Quinn, and Blake.

How many syllables does Cade have?

Cade has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Cade a common or rare name?

Cade is a popular name, ranked #272 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Cade

Cade is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "round barrel, lump" in Old English .

Is Cade a boy or girl name? Cade is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #272 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #27,288. Cade is more commonly used as a boy name.

Cade is currently ranked #272 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Cade has 1 syllable and is pronounced k-AYD, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Cade include Caden, Cadence . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.