"precious green stone"
Jade
Pronunciation: [ j-AYD ]
Rarer than gold — a gemstone name for bold boys
Meaning & Origin
"stone of the flank (kidney healing)"
Things to Know About This Name
- Primarily considered a girl's name in English-speaking countries
The Story of Jade
Jade comes from the Spanish phrase 'piedra de ijada' meaning 'stone of the flank' — Spanish conquistadors observed indigenous peoples of Central America pressing the stone against their sides to cure kidney ailments. Shortened to 'jade', the name carries both this medicinal history and centuries of cultural reverence. In China, jade (yu) has been prized for over 5,000 years as the 'stone of heaven.'
Jade as a boy's name is relatively rare in English-speaking countries where it skews female, but it has been used as a masculine name in Chinese cultures and increasingly by parents seeking gender-neutral gemstone names. It peaked in the UK as a girl's name in the 1990s thanks to celebrity associations.
In Chinese culture, jade symbolizes nobility, beauty, purity, and immortality — it's given as a protective amulet and worn throughout life. In Mesoamerican cultures, jade was more valuable than gold. The name carries this weight of ancient reverence across cultures.
Fun Facts
- In ancient China, jade was so prized it was called 'the stone of heaven'
- The Aztecs valued jade more highly than gold
- Jade has been used in China for over 7,000 years
Jade in Other Languages
Famous People Named Jade
Jade Thirlwall
Musician
1992
British pop star and member of Little Mix
Jade Cargill
Athlete
1992
American professional wrestler and former TBS Champion
Jade (Mortal Kombat) Fictional
Other
Green-clad warrior character from the Mortal Kombat video game series
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,444
- Total SSA Count
- 56
- Cultural Origins
- English Spanish Chinese American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Jade is also used as a girl name, ranked #84.
View Jade as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jade
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About the Name Jade
Jade is a boy name with English, Spanish, Chinese, and American origins . The name means "precious green stone" in Spanish piedra de ijada .
Is Jade a boy or girl name? Jade is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,444 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #84. Jade is more commonly used as a girl name.
Jade is currently ranked #2,444 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jade has 1 syllable and is pronounced j-AYD, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jade include J. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jade include Jaden, Jadiel, Jad, Jadon, Jadyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.