Cade

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAYD /ˈkeɪd/High

Meaning: From the English surname Cade, variously explained as a nickname from a word for a cask or barrel (hence 'round; stout') or from 'cade,' a lamb reared by hand, giving a sense of 'gentle; pet.' Used here for a girl, though it leans strongly to boys — we note the lean.Low

In 30 seconds: A single-beat surname name: Cade may mean 'round; barrel' or 'a hand-reared lamb' (said 'KAYD'). More often a boy's name — we note the lean.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningFrom the English surname Cade, variously explained as a nickname from a word for a cask or barrel (hence 'round; stout') or from 'cade,' a lamb reared by hand, giving a sense of 'gentle; pet.' Used here for a girl, though it leans strongly to boys — we note the lean.

U.S. rank (2024)#13739 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 140

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cade comes from an English surname, explained either from a word for a barrel — a nickname for someone round or stout — or from cade, a hand-reared lamb, hence 'gentle; pet.' It rose sharply as a boys' name in the U.S. and appears only rarely for girls; more often a boy's name, which we note (said 'KAYD').

For girls it is very rare in the U.S., against far heavier boys' use. Rare, punchy, and surname-style.

Did you know? One reading of Cade is oddly tender: a 'cade' lamb is one raised by hand after being orphaned, so the word carried a sense of a gentle, cherished pet (said 'KAYD').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Cade — English surname; 'barrel' or 'cade lamb'; cross-sex, boy-leaning

Variations

KadeCadenCady

Nicknames

CadieDee

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cade mean?

Cade is an English surname name, read either as 'round; barrel' or from 'cade,' a hand-reared lamb — hence 'gentle.'

How do you pronounce Cade?

It's said KAYD /ˈkeɪd/ — one syllable.

Is Cade a boy or girl name?

Cade is used for both, but far more often for boys — we note the lean.

How popular is Cade?

Cade is very rare for girls in the U.S. and much more common for boys.