Caden

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAY-den /ˈkeɪ.dən/High

Meaning: Possibly from Irish cadhan ('wild goose') or Welsh cad ('battle'); origin and meaning are debatedMedium

In 30 seconds: Part of the massive -aden/-ayden wave of the early 2000s, Caden may derive from an Irish or Welsh word. Its crisp sound and easy spelling made it a standout in its generation.

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Origin MediumIrish Gaelic, Welsh

MeaningPossibly from Irish cadhan ('wild goose') or Welsh cad ('battle'); origin and meaning are debated

U.S. rank (2025)#201 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births1,742 boys (0.10% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 72,035

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

Caden is likely derived from the Irish surname Mac Cadáin or the Gaelic word cadhan. It may also be related to the Welsh word cad, meaning 'battle.' However, its use as a first name in the United States was largely driven by the popularity of the rhyming -aden family rather than by direct heritage use. It entered the top 100 U.S. boys' names in the mid-2000s.

Caden peaked in the United States around 2010 alongside Aiden, Brayden, and Jayden. All four names have since declined somewhat, as naming trends have shifted toward more traditional and vintage forms. The -en variant Caden was slightly more popular than the -on variant Cadon.

Did you know? Kaden, Caden, Cayden, and Caiden are all variant spellings of essentially the same name — the SSA tracked all four simultaneously in the top 1000 during the 2000s.

Variations

KadenCaydenCaidenKaiden

Nicknames

Cade

Famous Bearers

★Caden Clark (b. 2003)
American MLS attacking midfielder for D.C. United and the U.S. Men's National Team who scored on his MLS debut in October 2020 at age 17, one of the five youngest goalscorers in league history.

If you like Caden…

Aiden— rhymes directly, same -aden wave

Jayden— most popular name from the same era and sound family

Brayden— another -ayden variant with equal chart success

Ayden— same sound, different initial consonant

Explore names like Caden

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Caden mean?

Caden's meaning is uncertain; it may relate to Irish Gaelic cadhan ('wild goose') or Welsh cad ('battle').

How do you pronounce Caden?

Caden is pronounced KAY-den (/ˈkeɪ.dən/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Caden a boy or girl name?

Caden is used predominantly as a boy's name.

How popular is Caden?

Caden peaked in the U.S. top 100 around 2010 as part of the -aden naming trend and has gradually declined since.