"round barrel, lump"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Cade
Pronunciation: [ k-AYD ]
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Crisp, clean, and unapologetically American
English
American
Modern
Minimalist
Strong
Bold
American
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"surname origin from Gaelic Mac Caid"
Origin: Gaelic
Language: Irish
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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.
Historical Record
Cade first appeared in US Social Security records in 1953.
Over 33,374 babies have been named Cade in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cade is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #272 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#272
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cade
C
Cade Cunningham
Athlete
2001
American NBA basketball player and Detroit Pistons franchise player, selected first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft
C
Cade McNown
Athlete
1977
Former NFL quarterback who played for the Chicago Bears after a standout college career at UCLA
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cade
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Cade is also used as a girl name, ranked #27288.
View Cade as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
What boy names are similar to Cade?
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.
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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