Jade

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAYD /dʒeɪd/High

Meaning: The green gemstone; from Spanish piedra de la ijada (stone of the side/flank), referring to its reputed power to cure kidney ailmentsHigh

In 30 seconds: A vivid gemstone name from Spanish meaning 'stone of the side,' after jade's reputed ability to cure kidney pain. Crisp and colorful, it has been a popular Anglo-American girls' name since the 1970s.

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Origin HighSpanish, French

MeaningThe green gemstone; from Spanish piedra de la ijada (stone of the side/flank), referring to its reputed power to cure kidney ailments

Peak year2002

Total births (all-time)≈ 80,796

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

The word jade entered English via French le jade, from Spanish piedra de la ijada, meaning 'stone of the flank' or 'loin stone,' because Spanish conquistadors observed Mesoamerican peoples using jade stones pressed to the side to treat kidney pain.

As a given name Jade appeared in the English-speaking world in the 1970s, part of the wave of gemstone and color names for girls. It became a top-100 name in the U.S. and the UK.

Did you know? The word jade traveled from Spanish ijada (flank) to French le jade to English — a linguistic journey as long as the trade routes that carried the stone.

Variations

JadaJayde

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jade…

Ruby— fellow jewel name with the same vivid, single-syllable punch

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jade mean?

Jade comes from the Spanish piedra de la ijada, meaning 'stone of the side,' referring to the green gemstone believed to cure kidney ailments.

How do you pronounce Jade?

It is said JAYD /dʒeɪd/ — one syllable.

Is Jade a boy or girl name?

Jade is used predominantly as a girl's name in English-speaking countries.

How popular is Jade?

Jade has been in the U.S. top 200 girls' names since the 1970s, with periods in the top 100.